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ORIGINAL DRAMA 

In Six Acts, Entitled 

HERE or Labor VS. Capital. 

BY BEATRICE MAREAN, 



Written in Compliment to the 

Greensboro Fire Department. 



Respectfully Dedicated to the 

Eagle Ho^e C^omp^W? -^©^ ^^ 

Greensboro, N, C, 

Author's Kdition. Copyrighted, l.SJ)7. 

Bv Mrs. Beatrice IMarean, Ocala, Fla. 

All Rights Reserved. 

REECE & ELAM, PRINTERS, GREENSBORO, N. C. 



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lolJr>XC'^-'L. 



AN ORIGINAL DRAMA 



In Six Acts, Bntitled 



HERRI or Labonis. Capital. 



BY BEATRICE MAREAN. 



Written in Complinnent to the 

Greensboro Fire Departnnent, 



Respectfully Dedicated to the 

Greensboro, N, 0, 



Author's Edition. Copyrighted, 1897. 

3y Mrs. Beatrice Marean, Ocala, Fla. 

All Rights Reserved. 






CASTE OF CHARACTERS, 

CHERRY, a carpenter's daughter, in 
love with Rudolph Dean — a mil- 
Honaire's son, Lillian Bradley. 

Jennie Goodwin, Mark Goodwin's 

wife, Susie Brown. 

Mrs. Dean, a rich widow — mother of 

Rudolph Dean, Marie Bancroft. 

Flossie Maxwell, very rich, whose 
mother died when she was a baby, 
a diamond in the rough, . . Daphne Harding. 

Mark Goodwin, Captain of the Eagle 

Hose Co., No. 7, Harper Johnston. 

Rudolph Dean, a rich young man — 

madly in love with Cherry, . . John Lafayette. 

Charlie Hilton, a loyal fireman — a 

member of the Eagles, David W'alter. 

Uncle Boh, a wealthy western ranche 

owner, Fred Newton. 

Billy Oliver, a bicycle sport — who 

loves Flossie, Claude Melnotte. 

Dennis O'Flanigan, a jovial Irish 

fireman, Clarence Barden. 

Jo Black, a tramp — rescued from a 

building, Edwin Clarke. 

Two Policemen, in uniform, | ' • • f^^ ^S°"- 
' J . . Arthur Jordan. 

John Williams, ] ( Robt. Whiting. 

Jim Tracy, \ Loyal firemen j Billy Adams. 

Frank Wells, J I John Wesley. 



Members Eagle Hose Company in uniform. 



SYNOPSIS OF THE PLAY. 

ACT I. — Home of Mark Goodwin. The serpent 
in the garden. Mark's denunciation of 
capital. The arrival of Uncle Bob and 
Flossie Maxwell. 

ACT 11. — The firemen's pic-nic. The secret meet- 
ing. Flossie's discovery. The promise, 
"I swear before the Almighty God, I will 
murder him." 

ACT III. — The attempted elopement. Billy Oliver 
asks for Flossie. Uncle Bob's answer. 
The murder. Mark's return. "I arrest 
you for the murder of Rudolph Dean." 

ACT IV. — The Engine House. The Eagle boys 
stand by their Captain. The hre alarm. 
The rescue of the tramp. 

ACT V. — The trial. The conviction. The sen- 
tence. The tramp's confession. Mark 
vindicated. 

ACT VL— Two years later. Uncle Bob enters socie- 
ty. Charlie Hilton's unexpected return. 
Constancy rewarded. Cherry inherits a 
fortune. Billy Oliver learns golf, and 
wins out by a big margin. Final union 
of "Labor and Capital." 



Ckrry, or Labor vs. Capital. 



ACT ONE. 

Scene. — Dining room of humble home. Furni- 
ture, couch, three chairs, small side-table upon 
which are placed wash-bowl, pitcher, soap and 
towel. Table laid for tea. Present, Jennie Good- 
win, middle aged woman. Costume, house dress 
becoming the wife of a mechanic. 

Jennie standing by the tea table placed in center, 
arranging tea things : 

Jennie — "I wonder why Mark doesn't come? 
He said he was going to run in on his way home 
and look at the new Engine which has just been 
received by the Eagle Hose Company, No. 7. 
(Laughs. ) And dear me ! Just let Mark get down 
to the Engine House talking to the boys, and he 
never knows how time flies, especially if there is 
any new machinery to admire. Well, well; I must 
not scold him — even if the tea is spoiled by long 
waiting ; for Mark has always been a good, kind 
husband to me. Oh ! there he comes now." 

[Enters right entrance Mark Goodwin, middle- 
aged man, robust, hustling, cheerful. Costume, 
carptnter's working suit. Crosses to tea table.] 

Mark (cheerfully) — "Hello Jennie! Kept you 
waiting did I, eh? Well I couldn't help it, for I tell 



6 

you, Jennie, she's the prettiest thing I ever looked 
at." 

Jennie, (pausing in her work of polishing glass 
on towel) — "Well, I like that Mark Goodwin; you 
certainly have your nerve with you, to stand up 
here before your own wife and talk about another 
woman' s beauty. ' ' 

[Turns away with offended dignity, and walks to 
opposite side of the table. Mark follows, and both 
pause.] 

Mark (in conciliatory tone) — "Come, come now, 
Jennie, don't go to getting on your ear. Why, my 
dear, there is no woman in the world half as hand- 
some, in my eyes, as you are; why you're just as 
pretty as you were when I marrfed you twenty years 
ago. ( Laughs. ) Ha, ha. You thought I was talk- 
ing about some pretty woman or another, when 
I was only praising the new Engine that has just 
arrived for the Eagle Hose Company, No. 7. It 
wouldn't take much to make you right down jeal- 
ous, would it now, Jennie?" 

[Jennie mollified, and busying herself again with 
the table. ] 

Jennie — "Oh, it was the new Engine you were 
talking about, eh ? Well, why didn't yon say so at 
first and not give my nerves such a shock ? So it 
is really pretty, is it?" 

Mark (enthusiastically) — "Just as pretty as a 
picture. Trim and neat as a lady; with all its ma- 



chinery shining and flashing like gold. Oh ! the 
Eagle Hose Company may well be proud of this 
new beauty, my dear." 

Jennie — "I'll go down with you to-morrow even- 
ing and see it. But come, let's have supper. I'm 
afraid that the tea is already spoiled by long stand- 
ing." 

Mark — "All right, little woman, but just let me 
wash up a bit first." 

[Crosses to side table pours water from pitcher 
to bowl, takes soap, washes his hands and face, 
takes towel, wipes face, and as he is wiping hands, 
walks back to tea table. Jennie busy with tea 
things.] 

Mark — "Jennie, where is Cherry, hasn't she come 
home yet?" (Throws towel on chair back. ) 

Jenn[e — "No, she hasn't come yet, but we won't 
wait on her. It's time she was here surely." 

Mark — "Well, I should say so." 

[Both seat themselves at tea table. Mark helps 
plates. Jennie pours out tea.] 

Mark — "Jennie, I don't like the idea of Cherry 
being out on the street as much as she has been 
lately. She is growing very handsome, and she's 
getting to be a bit vain too. Don't you think so ?" 

Jennie (pouring Mark a cup of tea) — "Yes, 
Mark, Cherry is handsome. Just as handsome as 
she can be. But I don't think she's vain. What 
makes you think so ?" 



Mark (stirring cup of tea vigorously with tea- 
spoon ) — "Well it seems to me that Cherry shows an 
inclination of late to snub working people, those of 
her own class you know; and I don't like it, Jennie 
I don't like it one bit. It looks as if the girl w^as 
putting on airs that don't become her," 

Jennie (spreading bread with butter) — "Well, 
you see Mark, the rich people have made so much 
of our girl; and she really is as much of a lady as 
if she were the daughter of a millionaire. Why, 
just think of it. the Deans invited her to tea last 
week and young Mr. Rudolph Dean walked home 
with her in the evening, and he never was known 
before to walk with a girl who didn't belong to his 
own set. Why, Mark, you ought to be proud of 
your daughter. She is so clever and accomplished, 
and this is why the- wealthy Deans have taken such 
a liking to her." 

Mark (eating bread and butter) — "Well, I don't 
like it. It won't do the girl any good ; only put 
foolish notions into her head, and get her into no 
end of trouble. ( Listens. ) I believe I hear her 
coming now." 

[Enters left entrance Cherry and Rudolph Dean. 
Cherry a charming young lady. Costume white, 
arranged with tasteful simplicity. Hat and gloves, 
Rudolph Dean a wealthy young man, dressed with 
exquisite taste and in the height of fashion — walk- 
ing costume, cane, hat, etc., in hand. Rudolph 
Dean and Cherry smiling, much pleased with each 





other's company. Mark and Jennie rise from table, 
advance to the center. Meet Rudolph Dean and 
Cherry.] 

Cherry — "I was belated, papa, and Mr. Dean 
kindly brought me home." 

Mark (sulkily) — "Good evening, Mr. Dean." 

Rudolph Dean — "Good evening, Mark. Good 
evening, Mrs. Goodwin." 

Jennie — "Good evening, Mr. Dean. It was very 
kind of you, sir, to see Cherry safe home. Won't 
you have a cup of tea ?" 

Rudolph Dean — "Thank you, Mrs. Goodwin, 
I should like to, but I really must not stay. 
(Turns to Mark.) I am pleased to see you look- 
ing so well, Mark. That new block you are erect- 
ing is going to be an ornament to the city. Don't 
you think so?" 

Mark (still sulkily) — "Oh ! it will pass I guess." 

Rudolph Dean — "Well, good evening, Mrs. 
Goodwin. Miss Cherry, I am delighted that I have 
had the pleasure of serving you. Good evening." 

Jennie and Cherry — "Good evening, Mr. 
Dean," (R. D. bows, exits.) 

[Cherry begins to pull off her gloves in a confus- 
ed manner, Jennie returns to table.] 

Mark (half angrily) — "Cherry, what business 
have you to be galavanting around with young 
Dean? This is twice now that he has walked 
home with you this week." 



10 

Jennie (from the other side of the table) — "Now 
Mark, don't scold Cherry. What harm has the 
child done ,by allowing Mr. Dean to walk home 
with her, I should like to know ?" 

Mark — "Well, I don't approve of Mr. Dean's 
attentions to her, as I have told you before ; and 
now I positively forbid her to have anything what- 
ever to do with him." 

Cherry (in a tremulous tone) — 'You are very 
hard on me, papa. Mr. Dean is a gentleman, I am 
sure." 

Mark — "That's all right. Cherry. Mr. Dean 
may be, as you say, a gentleman. If he is he will 
prove it by choosing his associates from the monied 
aristocracy, and not by trying to put foolish notions 
into the head of a poor carpenter's daughter." 

[Cherry is much hurt, and presses her handker- 
chief to her eyes. Jennie crosses over, stands by 
Cherry's side, and looks at Mark angrily.] 

Jennie — "Now you've made the poor child cry, 
and I hope you are satisfied, Mark Goodwin." 

[Mark steps close to Cherry, puts his arms 
around her and draws her head to his shoulder.] 

Mark (in a softened voice) — "There, there. 
Cherry ; don't cry. Papa doesn't want to be hard 
on you, pet. But don't let your heart go wander- 
ing after false gods, my girl. Stick to your own 
friends. They are honest and loyal ; but they don't 
belong to the class to which Mr. Dean belongs. 



11 



Let me tell you, my child, when a young man of 
Mr Dean's position shows particular attentions to a 
young woman of your position, he doesn't mean 
any good by it. So be warned by your father, who 
knows so much more about the wicked ways of 
this world than you do, and stick to your own class 
and don't be deceived by our enemies— the rich. 
There, dry your tears now, and let your mother 
give you some tea." 

TKisses and releases her. Jennie takes Cherry's 
arm and leads her to a chair at the table. Cherry 
sits down.] 

Mark— "Jennie, I am going down town, and as 
the Eagle Hose Company has a meeting to-night 
I shall not be home before 10 or 11 o'clock." 

Jennie— "All right, Mark." 

[Exit Mark left entrance. Jennie prepares cup 
and saucer, and takes up tea pot to pour tea. J 

Cherry— "Don't pour tea for me, mothe- 
please. I don't want any." (Jennie puts down 

the tea pot. ) 

jENNiE-"What's the matter, Cherry ? Are you 

ill, dear?" 

[Jennie moves to the side of the table, sitsjlown 
in a chair beside Cherry, and takes the girl s hand. J 

Cherry— "No, mother, I am not ill, but father 
has hurt my feelings very much. He is very hard 

on me." 

Jennie— "Your father doesn't mean to be hard 



12 

on you, darling ; but he has no faith in rich people 
where the welfare of the poor is concerned. This 
is the reason he distrusts and objects to Mr. Dean, 
my child, and not because he wants to be hard on 
you." 

Cherry — "Mr. Dean is a gentleman, mother — 
a noble gentleman, and incapable of wronging any 
woman." 

Jennie — "This may be so, my child, and I sin- 
cerely hope it is. But Cherry, my darling little 
daughter, your father has requested you not to re- 
ceive further attentions from Mr. Dean, and I know 
that you will obey him. ( Cherry looks straight be- 
fore her and answers not a word — short pause. ) 
Why, Cherry, just think of Charlie Hilton ! It 
would break the poor boy's heart if he thought you 
cared for the attentions of Mr. Dean. Charlie is 
such a noble young man ; a natural born gentle- 
man, a good mechanic, sober and industrious, and 
one of the most faithful members of the Eagle 
Hose Company. He loves you, Cherry, and I 
thought you loved him." 

[Cherry snatches her hand away from her mother 
and springs to her feet, and begins to pile up the 
dishes.] 

Cherry — "Let us not talk any more on the sub- 
ject, mother. I will help you clear the table and 
then I wish to retire to my own room." (Jennie 
stands. ) 



13 

Jennie — "Oh, you needn't help me with the ta- 
ble, Cherry. You are not well ; go to your room, 
my dear." 

Cherry — "Good-night, mother." 

Jennie (kisses her; — "Good-night, Cherry. God 
bless you, dear." 

[Exit Cherry. Jennie (stage business) turns back 
to the table, deftly removes dishes to sideboard. 
Takes off and folds table cloth ; puts it on side- 
board. Takts dark cloth which lies on sideboard, 
unfolds and spreads it on table. Talks while she 
works.] 

Jennie — "It is too bad, too bad. I declare it is 
too bad. I wish Cherry had never met Mr. Dean. 
Before she knew him she was happy and content- 
ed, chatted, smiled and sang all the day long, and 
now I fear very much that there is trouble ahead 
for all of us. (Some one knocks at the door.) 
Come in !" 

[Enter Charlie Hilton, dressed in a fireman's 
uniform, cap in hand. Jennie crosses to center.] 

Jennie — "Why, good evening, Charlie. I thought 
you were down at the Eagle Hose Company's 
club meeting ! Mark went some time ago. Sit 
down, won't you ?" 

[Stage business. Charlie seems to be very 
gloomy. They seat themselves on sofa.] 

Jennie — "So you didn't go to the club meeting, 
Charlie ?" 



14 



Charlie (very despondently) — "Yes, Mrs. 
Goodwin, I went to the meeting, but I felt so bad- 
ly that the President excused me." 

Jennie — "You felt hadly? Are you ill, Charlie?" 

Charlie — "No, Mrs. Goodwin, but I am deeply 
troubled about something." 

Jennie — "Troubled about something, Charlie? 
( Laughs softly. ) The idea of a healthy young man 
of good manners and sound morals being troubled 
about anything. Tell me about it, Charlie. I'll 
w^ager that it is all imaginary." 

Charlie— "You wouldn't laugh if you were a 
young man, as I am, and in love with some one 
who didn't return your affections, Mrs. Goodwin." 

Jennie (elevating her hands insurprise( — "Juust 
hear the foolish boy talk ! Now who in the world 
are you in love with who doesn't return your affec- 
tions?" 

Charlie — "Mrs. Goodwin, is it Cherry. Your 
charming, but cruel-hearted daughter. Cherry. 

Jennie — "Oh, you wrong her, Charlie. I am 
sure that Cherry cares for you." 

Charlie — "I flattered myself at one time that 
this was'true, but of late she scarcely notices me, 
and doesn't seem to care for any one except that 
soft-handed young dandy, Rudolph Dean. (Clench- 
es right hand furiously. ) Curse him !" 

Jennie — "Hush-sh-sh, Charlie! Are you not 
ashamed of yourself, to be so wicked !" 



15 

Charlie (springing to his feet) — "Wicked ! If 
anything would put murder in a man's heart this 
would. To have this young coxcomb, just because 
he is wealthy, to be permitted to thrust himself be- 
tween me and my life's happiness." 

[Turns quickly away,clenches his hands together, 
walks to center. Jennie follows him.] 

Jennie — "Charlie, listen to me, boy. To-night 
Cherry's father forbade her receiving any further 
attentions from Mr, Dean." 

Charlie (lifts his head and says eagerly) — "Did 
she promise to obey him, Mrs. Goodwin ?" 

Jennie — "Well — she didn't exactly promise any- 
thing. But Cherry is a good girl, Charlie. She 
will never go against her father's wishes." 

Charlie (grows desp )ndent again) — "Money is 
a powerful factor in winning a woman's heart, Mrs. 
Goodwin." 

Jennie — "For shame, Charlie. To insinuate 
that our Cherry would be guilty of such weakness. 
You are unreasonably jealous, my boy; and let me 
warn you. Jealousy is a monster who opens the 
gate of suspicion and pushes love broken-hearted 
from the garden of happiness." 

[Charlie goes up to the table and picks up his 
cap; Jennie follows him.] 

Jennie — "What ! Are you going so soon, Char- 
lie ? If you will wait a moment I'll call Cherry, 
and she will soon put matters right between you." 



16 



Charlie — "Thank you, Mrs. Goodwin. But I 
think it is best for me not to see Miss Cherry to- 
night. I may be, as you say, unreasonably jealous 
and might be tempted to say something to the wo- 
man I love which would be unworthy of my 
manhood." 

[Starts toward the left entrance, Jennie following 
him.] 

Jennie — "Oh, Charlie; I forgot to tell you. 
Flossie is coming to-morrow." 

Charlie (turning back) — "I beg your pardon, 
Mrs. Goodwin, but who is Flossie ?" 

Jennie — "Why, hasn't Cherry told you about 
her cousin Flossie? She is the daughter of my 
brother, Robert Maxwell. The child was born and 
reared in the wilds of New Mexico. ^^ v^ther 
died when she was a baby, but my br h '> s al- 
ways kept this, his only child, with . i .>ie is 
now 16 years of age, and her fathc. -.li j has 
grown quite wealthy, is bringing her home to be 
educated. She will be so much company for 
Cherry. You must come and get acquainted with 
my niece. You will, won't you Charlie?" 

Charlie — "I shall be delighted to do so, Mrs. 
Goodwin, if you think Miss Cherry will not snub 
me." 

Jennie (laughs) — "Snub you! Of course she 
will not, you foolish boy." 



17 

Charlie — "Well, then, expect me. Good-night, 
Mrs. Goodwin." 
Jennie — "Good-night, CharHe !" 

[Turns, walks back to table, smoothes the cloth 
down with her hands and puts chairs and things to 
rights. Talks to herself.] 

Jennie (laughs) — "There is nothing in this wide 
world that makes me half so weary as a love-sick 
boy. If I had one in the house with me all the 
time I should make old Dr. Hood rich by taking 
so much of his sarsaparilla for 'that tired feeling.' 
(Laughs.) Well, I don't believe there is any use 
for me to wait for iMark — there is no telling how 
late the fire laddies may remain at their club rooms 
to-night." (Takes small lamp from table, and exit 
left entrance. ) 

[Enters Cherry right entrance, with small lighted 
lam. p (stage business) in hand, wick turned low. 
Walks stealthily. Places lamp on table, presses 
hand on heart, listens eagerly, speaks.] 

Cherry— "I ought not to see him; but I must, 
just this one time more, to tell him that our sweet 
love-dream is over. ( A knock at the door. ) Come 
in !" (softly.) 

[Enters Rudolph Dean. Cherry meets him in 
center. He takes both her hands in his.] 

Rudolph Dean (with great tenderness) — "My 
darling !" 

[Folds her in his arms and kisses her. Cherry 
gently releases herself.] 



18 

Cherry — "Oh, Rudolph. 1 have bad news to 
tell you, dear." 

Rudolph Dean — "Why, my darling ! How se- 
rious you look ! What is it, little one?" 

Cherry (voice tremulous) — "My father has for- 
bidden me to see you again." 

Rudolph Dean — "Forbidden you to see me 
again ! Why has he done this cruel thing, Cherry ?" 

Cherry — "Simply because you are a wealthy 
man, and my father says that as such your atten- 
tions to a poor carpenter's daughter cannot be hon- 
orable." 

Rudolph Dean — "Cherry, you know that your 
father misjudges me, do you not, little one ?" 

Cherry — "Certainly. But how am I to make 
him understand his mistake?" 

Rudolph Dean — "By being loyal to me, your 
own true love, my darling." 

[Cherry lifts her head suddenly in alarm; turns 
face towards the door, and listens.] 

Cherry ( terrified)— "Oh, Rudolph ! My father 
is coming ! Go, go ! For the love of heaven, go 
quickly !" 

Rudolph Dean — "Cherry, be true to me, dar- 
ling !" ( Hurried kiss. ) 

[Quick exit Rudolph Dean right entrance, and 
Cherry turns around and meets father; entering, 
left entrance.] 

Mark Goodwin — "Hello, Bobolink, haven't you 
retired yet?" 



19 



Cherry (timidly) — "No, papa." 

Mark (looks at her suspiciously) — "Come and 
sit beside me, Cherry. I want to talk to you." 

Cherry (aside in an alarmed voice) — "Oh, mer- 
ciful heavens ! I wonder if he saw Rudolph leav- 
ing the house ?" (Goes sits beside father on sofa. ) 

Cherry — "What is it, papa?" 

Mark— "I saw Charlie Hilton down at the club 
this evening, and the boy feels awfully cut up 
about something. What have you done to him. 
Cherry?" 

Cherry (looks down at her hands confusedly) — 
"Nothing, papa." (Mark regards her a moment in 
silence. ) 

Mark — "Cherry, why did you decline to let 
Charlie Hilton walk home with you this evening, 
and afterwards permit young Dean to accompany 
you ?" 

Cherry (lifts her head with a show of spirit) — 
"Because I wished to do so, papa." 

Mark (sternly) — "Cherry, I have spoken to you 
about the preference you have shown for Rudolph 
Dean's company before, and now I warn you, girl, 
that if I ever hear of you speaking to this young 
Jackanapes again I intend to kill him. No rich 
man shall come fooling around my one ewe lamb, 
just to break her heart and ruin her life ! Those 
wealthy devils think that we poor, laboring people 
have no protection against them, and that they may 



20 

with impunity enter the hallowed precincts of our 
humble homes, and leave destruction and ruin be- 
hind them. Let them beware! .They will find 
that even the worm will turn when it is trodden 
upon." 

Cherry — "Your words do Mr. Dean an awful 
injustice, papa. You do not know him or you 
would know that he is a gentleman, and incapable 
of ignoble conduct." 

Mark — "That's all right, Cherry, but if Rudolph 
Dean knows when he is well off, he will keep out 
of your way and mine too. ( Draws a telegram from 
his vest pocket. ) Where's your mother? I have a 
telegram from your uncle Bob, which says that he 
and Flossie will arrive to-night. Listen ! I hear 
voices in the hall. I shouldn't be surprised if they 
have already arrived." 

[Enters right entrance Jennie, Uncle Bob, and 
Flossie. Uncle Bob attired in regular cow boy 
costume. Flossie in girlish dress reaching half way 
between knees and ankles, black sateen under- 
clothing. Uncle Bob holds somberno in his hands. 
Flossie very bright and jigantic, characteristic, pet- 
ted and indulged child. Mark and Cherry, rise.] 

Mark (with outstretched hand to Uncle Bob) — 
"Hello, old man, so it really is you, is it?" (Shakes 
hands. ) 

Uncle Bob — "Yas, what thare is left of me. 
But dog my sheep, if I wouldn't ruther go on a 



21 



month's round-up than to take another sich a long 
journey in the cars, I'm plum beat out." 

[Cherry and Flossie embrace and converse in- 
audibly, while Uncle Bob speaks. Uncle Bob 
turns to Cherry.] 

Uncle Bob — "Why, bless my soul ! Is this 
Cherry? She has got to be sich a fine young lady 
Uncle Bob's most afeered to kiss her." (Takes 
her hands. ) 

Cherry (laughs) — "Oh, you needn't be afraid, 
Uncle Bob." 

Uncle Bob — "Sensible to the last." (Kisses 
her.) 

[Flossie runs and throws her arms around Mark's 
neck and kisses him.] 

Flossie — "I am so glad to see you, dear old 
Uncle Mark, (Takes her arms from around his 
neck and looks at him archly. ) \Vhat do you 
think ? Dad is going to let me stay with you two 
or three years, so that you may teach me to be a 
fine young lady like my cousin Cherry. Won't 
that be fine !" 

Mark — "Why, you are a fine young lady now, 
Flossie." 

Flossie (laughs) — "Oh, no. Uncle Mark. I 
am nothing but a horrid little Mexican, and don't 
know anything except how to shoot a rifle, ride a 
bronco and dance a jig." 

[Uncle Bob, Jennie and Cherry, who have been 



22 

engaged in an inaudible conversation in the back- 
ground, join Mark and Flossie in the center. ) 

Uncle Bob (proudly) — "Mark, what do you 
think of my little gal ? Ain't she a cute little trick ?" 

Mark — "She is, for a fact !" 

Uncle Bob (very proudly) — "Why, she's gone 
with me on the fall round-ups every year nov\' for 
three years, and dog my sheep, if she ain't worth a 
half dozen cow boys. But that's all over now, and 
sister Jennie here, and Cherry, and all the teachers 
they can git, has got to larn her music, grammer, 
'rithmatic, history and gography; 'sides larning 
her to simper an' bow, kertsy an' dance; and smile 
when she's mad, and look sorry when she's glad, 
jist like all the society wemin do." 

Flossie — "Oh, daddy, dear. I al'c . !y ' now 
how to dance." 

Uncle Bob — "That's a fact, Flossie, 'h y jan't 
larn you nothing about dancing, 'cepting it be new 
figures. You know all 'bout the steps, shoah." 

Cherry — "Who taught her to dance. Uncle 
Bob?" 

Uncle Bob — "Nobody. Hit jist come natchur- 
el to her same as the birds larn to sing." 

[Flossie laughs and takes a few dancing steps.] 

Uncle Bob — "Jist look at her ! She can hardly 
keep her little feet still. Stand back a little. Thare, 
that's right, baby lam', show the folks how you 
can dance." 



23 



TAll stand aside, leaving the stage free for the 
dancer Orchestra plays a Mexican dance. Flossie 
dances to perfection for a ^vy minutes when te 
mi^sk changes to a lively cotillion, m which all the 
figures on the stage join.] 

Uncle Bob-" All hands 'round." (All circle 



around. ) 



QUICK CURTAIN. 



Foot NoxE.-When presented by Amateurs a 
last stanza.— Author, 



ACT TWO. 

TWO MONTHS LATER. — FOREST SCENE. — A RUSTIC 
BENCH. 

Enters right entrance Cherry in walking costume, 
hat, parasol, etc. Presses hand on heart and lis- 
tens eagerly. Stands in center : 

Cherry — "Oh, the cruelty of my father that 
drives me to those clandestine meetings ! Every 
fibre of my being revolts at the deception I am 
forced to practice. But I cannot — I will not — give 
up my love. (Enters left entrance Rudoli:)h Dean, 
who walks to center, takes off hat, folds Cherry in 
his arms and kisses her. Cherry releases herself 
gently.) Oh, Rudolph, I was growing so terribly 
nervous I was on the point of running away and 
not waiting for you, dear." 

Rudolph Dean (fondly) — "What made you 
nervous, little one?" 

Cherry — "Rudolph, what if my father should 
discover our clandestine meetings?" 

[Both walk and sit on rustic bench towards stage 
front.] 

Rudolph Dean (very fondly, smiling) — "Then 
my precio js one, I should tell him that I love you, 
and intend to make you my wife, with or without 
his consent." 

Cherry (despondently) — "My father will never 



25 



give his consent to our union, never ! Mother and 
I have tried all our persuasive powers upon hin:, 
but to no purpose." 

Rudolph Dean — "Why does he so despise me, 
Cherry ?' ' 

Cherry — "I know no reason, except that his 
deep-rooted prejudice against the wealthy class 
really amounts to a monomania with my poor 
father. He imagines that rich people are sworn 
enemies of the poor or laboring classes, and that 
nothing gives them more pleasure than to witness 
the destitution, and even, degredation, of the work- 
ing people." 

Rudolph Dean — "Why, this is the spirit of so- 
cialism, my love !" 

Cherry — "I don't know what it is. I only 
know, to my sorrow, that my father despises and 
distrusts all wealthy and aristocratic people." 

Rudolph Dean — "But after al], m> little one, 
we should have no aristocracy in our land, the free- 
dom of which was purchased with the blood of our 
forefathers — except that built by the true nobility 
of man's character, be he rich or poor. If my 
wealth, which came to me as most fortunes come 
to their possessors in our country, by the mere ac- 
cident of my father's business foresight, is to debar 
nie from the blessing of claiming the only woman 
I love, or ever will love, as my wife, then it is 
nothing but a curse to me. ' ' 



26 

[Enters Flossie and Billy Oliver. Flossie carries 
her sun-bonnet in her hand and has a small basket 
on her arm. Billy Oliver in bicycle suit, fishing 
tackle on his shoulder.] 

Fi.ossiE (hurriedly as the two cross over to 
Cherry and Mr. Dean) — "Oh, Cherry, come and 
see what a long string of fish we caught, and we 
saw an alligator and two wild cats" — 

[Stops suddenly and stares at Mr. Dean. Cher- 
ry and Mr. Dean rise to their feet.] 

Cherry — "Flossie, dear, permit me to introduce 
you to Mr. Dean." 

Flossie (quickly, with commanding gesture of 
right hand)— "I beg your pardon. I don't want to 
know Mr. Dean, (reproachfully) and never mind. 
Miss Cherry, I am going to tell on you, too. Did 
not Uncle Mark forbid you to speak to Mr. Dean ? 
Say now, didn't he?" 

Cherry (apologetically) — "But you see, Flossie 
dear 

Flossie (interrupting her) — "No, there is no 
'you see' about it. Uncle Mark told you not to 
speak to Mr. Dean, and you had no business to do 
it, and 1 am going to tell on you." 

Billy Oliver (stepping quickly to Flossie's 
side) — "Come, come now, Flossie. Don't be hard 
on Miss Cherry. Suppose your father was to for- 
bid you to speak to me ?" 

Flossie (tossing her head and elevating her 



27 

chin) — "Then I shouldn't speak to you, Mr. 
Oliver." 

Billy (sidling close to Flossie, coaxingly) — "Oh, 
yes you would, Flossie ; your own Billy, you 
know." 

Flossie (contemptuously mimicing his words) — 
" 'Your own Billy, you know !' My own daddy is 
more to me than all the Billies in the world, and 
you may wager your last dollar that what he tells 
me to do, goes." 

Billy — "Into one ear and out at the other, eh, 
Flossie !" 

Flossie (contemptuously) — "Mr. Oliver, you're 
beneath my notice. Come on. Cherry, let's go 
back to the pic-nic grounds." 

Rudolph Dean — "I beg your pardon, Miss 
Flossie ; 1 am sure you were only joking. You do 
not intend to get your cousin into trouble, do you ?" 

Flossie (with much spirit) — "It is yourself, not 
I, who is trying to make trouble fi)r my cousin. 
Why don't you keep away from her and let her 
alone, when you know that her father will not let 
you marry her, and she knows that she is already 
engaged to marry Mr. Charlie Hilton." 

Cherry (quickly) — "Oh, no, no, Flossie, you're 
mistaken. I am not engaged to Charlie Hilton." 

Flossie — "You were until Mr. Dean influenced 
you to disobey your father and break poor Charlie's 
heart. 1 am ashamed of you, Cherry Goodwin." 



28 

[Billy, who, while Flossie is speaking, has walk- 
ed to left entrance and looked out, returns with 
quick steps to center group.] 

Billy — "Oh, I say ; they are coming !" 

Cherry — "Go Rudolph ! For the love of heav- 
en don't let my father see you here." (Urges his 
flight with frantic gestures. ) 

Rudolph Dean ( ent'reatingly ) — "Miss Flossie, 
for the love cf God don't tell on your cousin." 

Billy — "She won't tell. Flossie is a good little 
angel." 

Flossie — "Oh, yes ; all but the wings. But take 
care ; don't put too much confidence in his good- 
ness, or you may be badly fooled." 

Cherry— "Oh, Rudolph, go, go! I hear them 
coming. ' ' 

Rudolph Dean (kisses Cherry hurriedly and 
looks at Flossie) — "Don't tell — don't tell on us, 
Miss Flossie. Oh, please don't tell." 

Flossie (elevating her hands) — "Well, of all the 
impertinent rascals out of jail, Mr. Dean takes the 
cake." ( Hurried exit Mr. Dean left entrance. ) 

[Enter pic-nicers — Jennie, iMark, Charlie Hilton 
and Un-le Bob.] 

Uncle Bob — "Hello, baby lam' ! Whut you all 
doin' up hare so long? We blow'd the dinner horn 
fur you three times." 

Flossie — "We've been fishing, daddv dear." 



29 

[Cherry goes to rustic seat and sits down pale 
and dejected.] 

Mark — "What's the matter, Cherry? You look 
as limp as a rag." 

Flossie (rumiingupto Mark, who has crossed 
to Cherry) — "Oh, uncle Mark ! (Cherry hangs her 
head. ) What do you think ? ( Billy runs over to 
Flossie's side, pulls her dress skirt and says in a 
faint whisper : 'Flossie, Flossie; hush-sh-sh-sh.' ) 
We caught ten fishes, and we saw an alligator an d 
two wild cats !" ( Billy and Cherry look relieved. ) 

Mark — "You did, eh ! Maybe the wild cats 
frightened Cherry. She was always afraid of wild 
varmints." 

Uncle Bob— "Ha, ha, ha. Afeerd of wild var- 
mints ! What do you think of that, baby lam' ?" 

Flossie (laughs) — "We'll take her home with 
us and out on a few round-ups. That will take the 
kinks out of her. Won't it, dad ?" 

Uncle Bob — "Hit shoah will, baby lam'." 

Jennie — "Come on and let's go to dinner before 
the coffee gets cold and the ants get all over every- 
thing." 

Mark (to Cherry) — "Come on, bobolink," 

Cherrv — "I don't want any dinner, papa ; my 
head aches. I'll come when I feel better." 

Uncle Bob — "Mark, Cherry seems to be mighty 
funn}^, somehow. I guess Flossie and me had bet- 
ter go back to Mexico and take Cherry with us, 
and let her rough it awhile," 



30 

Jennie (Jennie sits down beside Cherry and 
takes her hand) — "What's the matter dear?" 

Cherry — "Nothing ; only my head aches, and 1 
want to sit here awhile." 

Jennie — "Shall I stay with you?" 

Cherry — "No, thank you, mother. I would 
rather be alone." 

Jennie (rising) — "Well, come to the pic-nic 
grounds when you get rested. (Addressing the 
others. ) Come on ; we must go to dinner." 

Charlie Hilton (pausing before Cherry) — 
"May I bring you a cup of coffee, Miss Cherry ?" 

Cherry — "No, 1 thank you, Mr. Hilton," 

[Exit Mark, Jennie, Uncle Bob, Flossie, Charlie 
Hilton and Billy Oliver. Cherry rests elbow of 
right arm on arm of rustic bench, and rests head 
on right hand. Sits motionless. Enters Rudolph 
Dean left entrance, who crosses softly to Cherry's 
side.] 

Rudolph Dean — "My darling !" (Cherry starts 
up in alarm. ) 

Cherry — "Rudolph ! Oh, my love ! Why did 
you come again? We may be discovered." 

Rudolph Dean (folding her in his arms) — "Fear 
not, little one. I reconnoitered the situation. 
They are all busily engaged with dinner. There is 
no danger. I wanted to find out if Flossie betray- 
ed us." 

[Cherry frees herself gently from his embrace.] 

Cherry — "She did not, Rudolph, although I am 



§1 

nearly frightened to death for fear she will. Ru- 
dolph, I cannot practice this deception much long- 
er. I am positively ashamed to look either of my 
parents in the face." 

Rudolph Dean — "Then, darling, if there is no 
hope of winning your father's consent to our mar- 
riage, there is only one way left open to us, and 
that is to elope." 

Cherry— "Oh, Rudolph ! What a terrible alter- 
native." 

Rudolph Dean (very fondly) — "No, darling', 
not so terrible to give your sweet self to me, your 
devoted lover and willing slave. Say that you will 
go with me, Cherry." 

Cherry (softly) — "I will think about it, Ru- 
dolph." 

Rudolph Dean — "And in the meantime your 
father may discover our clandestine meetings, and 
prevent our ever meeting again. Let us become 
man and wife this very week. You are all the 
world to me, sweetheart." 

Cherry — "And you are all the world to me, 
Rudolph." 

Rudolph Dean — "Then, my darling, meet me 
to-morrow night at our old trysting place in your 
father's orchard, and we will soon be beyond all 
cruel intervention." 

Cherry (clasping her hands in deep emotion) — 
"Oh, if my father would only give his consent to 
our union !" 



32 

Rudolph Dean — "He never will, my darling. 
You only consent to my plans and all will be well." 

[Cherry turns her head in a startled manner and 
listens.] 

Cherry (alarm in her voice)— "Oh, Rudolph ! 
I think I hear some one coming. F'or pity's sake, 
leave me before we are discovered !" 

Rudolph Dean (taking her hands) — "Say that 
you will fly with me to-morrow night, my love !" 

Cherry (in great excitement) — "Yes. Oh, go ! 
Go quickly ! Don't you hear footsteps approach- 
ing !" 

[Rudolph Dean hurriedly kisses Cherry, and 
looks over his shoulder as he makes his e.xit.] 

Rudolph Dean — "Remember, love, to-morrow 
night in your father's orchard." 

[Exit left entrance. Cherry sits down on the 
bench. Enters Charlie Hilton, who carries a cup 
and saucer on small tray. (Stage business. ) He 
crosses over and stands before Cherry.] 

Charlie — "Miss Cherry, I have brought you a 
cup of coffee. Your mother says that if you will 
drink it, it may relieve your head ache." 

[Cherry takes the proffered tray and Charlie sits 
down beside her.] 

Cherry — "You are very kind, indeed, Charlie." 
Charlie — "Yes, kind to myself; for nothing 



33 



gives me half as much pleasure as serving you, 
Miss Cherry." 

[Cherry sips coffee with teaspoon.] 

Cherry — "I am not worthy of such devotion, 
Charlie." 

Charlie — "Indeed you are, Miss Cherry, and I 
wish you would give me the right to love and serve 
you all my life." 

Cherry — "You will find some one better suited 
to be your wife than myself, Charlie." 

Charlie — "Never ! Never ! There is only one 
woman in the world for me, and if the blessing of 
her love is denied me, I want no other." 

[Cherry silently continues to sip the coffee, and 
Charlie regards her face a moment in silence.] 

Charlie — "Miss Cherry — forgive me. I am go- 
ing to ask you a question, which you may think I 
have no right to ask. If so, let my great love for 
you plead my pardon. Are you in love with Ru- 
dolph Dean ?" 

Cherry (lifts her head and says earnestly) — "I 
am in love with Rudolph Dean. I love him more 
than I love any one on earth, and a thousand times 
more than I love life itself." 

Charlie (in a voice of consternation) — "Miss 
Cherry, for the love of God be careful !" 

Cherry — "What do you mean? I do not un- 
derstand you." 



34 

Charlie (with great earnestness) — "Rudolph 
Dean may be only trifling with you, and has won 
your love only to break your heart, and blight your 
life. If this be true (springs to his feet and clenches 
his right hand) let him beware ! for as sure as the 
sun is now shining above us, his vile heart's blood 
shall pay the forfeit for his crime !" 

[Enters Mark Goodwin right entrance. Charlie 
crosses over to left wing and stands with his back 
partly turned towards Mark and Cherry. Stage 
business.] 

Mark — "Hello, bobolink! How is the head 
ache?" 

Cherkv — "It is better, papa." 

Mark — "That's good." (To Charlie. ) Charlie, 
come here, my boy." 

[Charlie turns, walks back and stands before 
Mark, and salutes.] 

Charlie — "Aye, aye ; Captain." 

[Mark takes tray, with cuf) and saucer, from 
Cherry's lap, hands it to Charlie,] 

Mark — "Take the tray back to the pic-nic 
grounds and tell Jennie that Cherry and myself will 
be there presently." 

[Charlie takes the tray and touches his cap.] 

Charlie — "All right, Captain." 

[Exit right entrance. Mark sits down by the side 
of Cherry.] 



35 



Mark — "Well, bobolink ; you and Charlie have 
been making up your little quarrels, eh? That's 
right, my girl. Charlie is one of the most noble 
boys in the Eagle Hose Company. Any girl 
might feel proud to win him for a husband." 

[Cherry hesitates, looks down a moment at her 
hands clasped nervously in her lap, then lifts her 
head and looks into her father's face.] 

Cherry — "Papa, Charlie Hilton can never be 
anything more to me than he is at present. I ap- 
preciate his worth, and am proud of him as my 
friend, but this is as far as my feelings go toward 
him." 

Mark (with bluff tenderness) — "Oh, come, come 
now, Cherry. None of that. It sounds like the 
silly gobble of a heroine in a dime novel." 

Cherry (earnestly) — "Nevertheless, papa, it is 
true. Charlie Hilton is all now that he will ever 
be to me." 

Mark (with a voice of rising anger) — "Cherry, 
what in the thunder has come over you lately ? I 
believe in my heart that you still have a hankering 
after that lily-fingered young Dean. Damn his pu- 
silanimous soul !" 

Cherry (springs to her feet) — "Father, I com- 
mand you to stop ! I am your daughter, sir, and a 
lady, and I will not permit such language in my 
presence !" 

[Mark stands up.] 



36 

Mark (in a molified voice) — "But Cherry, it 
makes me so cursed — oh, I beg- your pardon — so 
infernally mad, when I think of that rich man who 
has everything that wealth can purchase, who has 
come sneaking around trying to ruin the sunlight 
of my humble home, the small comforts of which 
were bought by the sweat of my brow, that it puts 
murder in my heart. Don't I see the change in 
you since his coming ! Are you the same blith- 
some girl, who before you became acquainted with 
this man, made music and sunshine for your fath- 
er's lowly cottage?" 

[Cherrv puts her arms around Mark's neck, and 
kisses him, looking him lovingly in the face.] 

Cherry— "Papa, darling ! Why are you so pre- 
judiced against Mr. Dean ? He loves me, and I 
love him, and he wishes me to become his wife." 

[Mark unwinds her arms from about his neck, 
holds her hands and looks sternly down into her 
upturned face.] 

Mark (with great earnestness) — "Cherry, listen 
to me, little - one — your own father, who would 
give his heart's blood for your happiness. It is not 
love that brings this scion of a wealthy and aristo- 
cratic house to the poor carpenter's cottage, but 
the meanest and most contemptible selfishness. 
His wealth has made it possible for him to achieve 
every object desired in his life. When he found 
out that for once he was likely to be baffled, he 



37 

changes his tactics and asks your hand of me in 
marriage, thinking that I would be overwhelmed 
by the honor he had done me, supposing I had not 
Lcen through his vile scheming, and would give in 
marriage to this worldly and selfish man my only 
child, and the one blessing which alone makes the 
hard work a day-life of her parents endurable. 
How long, think you, would it have been till this 
pampered son of wealth would have grown tired of 
the prize he had won, and we should have seen 
you a broken-hearted wife, deserted by the man 
who had won your love only to ruin and crush 
your life ; and scorned by his aristocratic friends. 
(Cherry sinks on her knees and buries her face in 
her hands. Mark bends partially over her.) No, 
girl ; I tell you no ! D. y your tears and listen to 
my vow. Rather than that you should become the 
wife of Rudolph Dean, or be in any way connected 
with him, (stands erect and raises his right hand to 
heaven) 1 swear before Almighty God, 1 will 

MURDER HIM !" 

CURTAIN. 



ACT THREE. 

Scene : — Parlor in INIark Goodwin's Home. 
Cherry in house costume. Stands in center. 

Cherrv (despairingly) — "What an unfortunate 
creature I am ! How my heart is torn between 
love and filial duty. Shall I disobey my father or 
be false to my own true love ? ( Draws letter from 
her pocker, unfolds and reads aloud ) : 

'Be true to your love vows, my darling, and God 
will bless you. Do not permit your father's threats 
to intimidate you. 1 do not fear him, my love, and 
v.hen he has seen what a devoted husband I shall 
make, and how my mother loves and respects the 
sweet wife of my own choice, he will be cured of 
his madness, and there will be peace and happiness 
between us. I have all in readiness for our flight, 
and shall await your coming at the old trysting 
place to-night at 11 o'clock. My precious one, do 
not fail me. Your devoted Rudolph.' 

(Clasps her hands and exclaims in agony): "God 
have mercy upon me ! What shall I do? (Lifts her 
head with sudden resolution. ) My beloved, I will 
fiy with you, and bravely face the consequences." 

[Hears footsteps approaching — quickly hides let- 
ter in her pocket. Enter right entrance, Jennie, 
Uncle Bob and Flossie, laughing in high spirits.] 

Uncle Bob (breezily) — "Whut do you think, 
Cherry ? I've jist got a note from that young ten- 
derfoot, Billy Oliver, asken me for Flossie ! For 



39 

Flossie now ! My pet and baby ! And all I have 
to love in the world! Did you ever hear of s.ch 
impudence? Til swan. I've a notion to break h.s 

"''FLOSSiE-"Oh, dad ! Don't be hard on Billy. 
He's awful nice." 

Uncle BoB-"Hard on Billy! Thunderat.o . 
It ain't hard on your old dad to give you up? Oh, 

no '" 

FLOSSiE-"But you'd have to give me up some 

day yon know, daddy dear." ^, u c 

lENNiE-"That's so, brother Bob. The boys 
win coax the girls away from the old folks sooner 
or later Now here's Cherry-1 shouldn t be sur- 
p i ed any day to hear that she and Charhe Hilton 
had decided to make a match. (Cherry turns away 
abruptly, goes to the table and begms to turn the 
leaves of a book thereon.) But tfs all r.ght, I 
guess. We did the same way when we were young, 
you know." , , , „ 

Uncle BoB-"It's pretty hard on the old folks, 

though Jennie, to jist git a gal up to whar she s 

ome comfort to you, when up walks some smar 

oung Alick, without as much as hardly sayen 

•dog will ye bite !' and walks off with her. 

Flossie (brightening up)-"But you see, dear 
old dad, it will be different with Billy and me, for 
we will always live with you." 

Uncle Bob (lngubriously)-"Guess you will, 



40 

baby lam', for vvhut's Billy got to keep you on ? 
Nothen that I knows on." 

Flossie — "Why, dad ! He's got his typewriter, 
and his bicycle !" 

Uncle Bob — "That's a fact." 

Flossie — "And you're going to get me a wheel, 
and get you a wheel ; then won't we three have 
fun going on the round-ups on bicycles instead of 
broncos !" (Clasps her hands in delight. ) 

Uncle Bob (dryly) — "Shoar." 

[Cherry crosses to group in center.] 

Cherry — "But, Uncle Bob, what about Flossie's 
education? She has only been to, school about two 
months since she came here, and now you are talk- 
ing about her marriage." 

Uncle Bob (decisively) — "Oh, Flossie's got to 
go to school two years, shoar ; and then if her Billy 
shows hisself to be a man — why, then we'll talk 
about this other business. Why, Flossie is nothen 
but a baby yet," 

Jennie — "Well, I should say so." 

Flossie — "But I'm engaged, ain't I dad ?" 

Uncle Bob— "Oh, I reckon so. But mind, the 
schoolen comes fust." 

Jennie— "There, Flossie; I think )^ou might 
give us a jig for that." 

Uncle Bob — "Shoar !" 

Flossie — "All right. Please stand out of the 
way. ' ' 



41 

[Jennie and Cherry sit on sofa. Uncle Bob in a 
chair. Flossie dances to music of the orchestra. 
( "See foot note. ) When dance is finished Flossie, 
laughingly, ( stage business ) sits down on ottoman 
placed near the sofa.] 

Cherry — "What a suple little creature you are, 
Flossie dear." 

Uncle Bob (laughs) — "You'd say so, shoar, if 
you could see her swing the lariat onct." 

Flossie (laughs)— "I told you, cousin Cherry, 
that I'm nothing but a little savage." (All laugh. ) 

Cherry (suddenly) — "iviother, where is father 
this evening ?" 

Jennie — "He went to Winston this afternoon." 

Cherry (anxiously) — "When will he return?" 

Jennie — "To-night about midnight." 

Uncle Bob — "How did he go ?" 

Jennie — "He w^ent on horseback." 

Uncle Bob — "I wisht he'd a tole me he wus 
agoen, and I'd a gone with him." 

Jennie — "He went away in such a hurry that he 
did not say anything about going to any one but 
myself." 

Uncle Bob — "Mark acts like he had somethen or 
'nother on his mind that was pestering him might- 
ly lately." 



*The dance here may be omitted, and a song 
substituted — or both may be omitted, taking the 
conversation from "the schoolen comes fust" to 
Cherry's question "mother, where' s father," etc. 



42 



Cherry (,2:ets up) — "Mother, if you will excuse 
me I will retire to my room — I have some letters to 
write." 

Jennie (stands) — "Certainly, my dear." 

Cherry (kisses Jennie) — "Good-night, dearest 
and best of mothers. Will you always love your 
Cherry, no matter what she may do ?' ' 

Jennie — "Certainly, darling. But you look so 
serious ! What is the matter, child ?' ' 

Cherry (smiling) — "Never mind ; kiss father 
good-night for me. Good-night. ( Kisses Jennie 
again and turns to Uncle Bob — Uncle Bob stands. ) 
Good-night, dear Uncle Bob. ( Kisses him and 
turns to Flossie — Flossie stands. ) Good-night, 
sweet child, God bless you." 

Flossie — "Good-night, cousin Cherry. Don't 
forget that you have promised to take me to the 
park in the morning before school time. ( Kisses 
her. Exit Cherry left entrance. ) How funny cousin 
Cherry acted ! She kissed us all and said 'good- 
night' as solemnly as if she were never coming 
back." 

Uncle Bob — "She did, fur a fact. Whut's the 
matter with that gal, sister? 'Pears to me that 
she's in love, or trouble, or something." 

[Flossie crosses to table, turns leaves of photo- 
graph album placed on table.] 

Jennie (sighs) — "I don't know, brother Bob. 
Cherry's disposition has undergone a marvelous 



43 

change within the last few months, and it seems 
as if she is growing away from us somehow. ' ' 

Uncle Bob — "Maybe you've edicated her too 
much, and that it has made a case Hke the young 
eagle in the sparrer's nest, eh, Jennie !" 

Jennie — "Oh, I hope not, brother Bob." 

Flossie — "Daddy dear, have you seen those 
lovely photographs ?' ' 

Uncle Bob — "No, baby lam'." 

Flossie — "Come here and I will show them to 
you." 

[Uncle Bob and Jennie cross to table.] 

Jennie — "I will show him the pictures. Go and 
see who is knocking at the door, Flossie dear." 

[Jennie takes album and sits beside Uncle Bob 
on sofa. Turns leaves, converses (stage business) 
inaudibly. Flossie goes and opens the door. En- 
ters Billy Oliver in bicycle costume.] 

Flossie (taking both of Billy's hands) — "Oh, 
Billy ! I have something awful good to tell you." 

Billy (anxiously) — "Have you, Flossie? What 
is it, sweetheart ?' ' 

Flossie — "Why, we're engaged !" 

Billy— "Oh, goody ! goody! (Anxiously.) Did 
your father say so, Flossie ?' ' 

Flossie — "Yes ; and he is going to buy me a 
bicycle, and him a bicycle, and then you'll take 
your bicycle, and we will all go out on the round- 
ups, when we go home, on bicycles instead of 
broncos. Won't that be fun?" 



44 

Billy — "No end of fun ! But when are we to be 
married, Flossie?" 

Flossie — "Oh, not for two years yet." 

Billy (gaspingly) — "Not for two years yet? 
Why, Flossie ! - You'll jilt me long before that time 
expires for some other fellow !" 

Flossie (drops his hands, puts her hands behind 
her and elevates her chin — saucily) — "Well, per- 
haps I shall, Mr. Oliver. Girls are mighty fickle, 
you know." 

Billy (despairingly) — "Oh, Flossie " 

Uncle Bob (crossing quickly to Billy and Flos- 
sie)— "Hello, young folks ! W'hut's the racket?" 

Billy (appealing) — "Miss Flossie says, sir, that 
we shall not be married for two years from this 
time !" 

Uncle Bob— "Hump ! And who said that 
Flossie would ever marry you, young man ?" 

Billy (very humbly) — "The young lady said so 
herself, sir." 

Uncle Bob — "She did, eh? Well, she's nothen 
but a kid. You'd better git her daddy's sentiments 
on thj subject." 

Billy — "You will give Flossie to me, won't you, 
sir ?" 

Uncle Bob — "Give Flossie to you ! Well, I'll 
swan ! Young man, you've got sand enough to 
plaster a house ; dog my sheep if you ain't !" 

Flossie (places her hand entreatingly on Uncle 



45 

Bob's arm) — "There, there, daddy dear. Please 
don't be hard on the poor fellow. He loves me, 
and says that he will make a splendid husband for 
me." 

Uncle Bob (in a hurt tone) — "All right, baby 
lam', if you're so anxious to leave your old dad. 
(Turns to Billy. ) But say, young feller, 'sposen 
now that I should give my little gal to you, will 
you be good enough to tell me whut means of sup- 
port you have ?" 

Billy (brightening up — speaks proudly) — "It is 
universally admitted, sir, that I have the finest pair 
of bicycle legs in the country." 

Jennie (running up to center group, laughing) — 
"Oh, he's well equipped for life, brother Bob. 
You needn't worry about that." 

[Enters Charlie Hilton in great haste and excite- 
ment.] 

Charlie Hilton — "Mrs. Goodwin, where is the 
Captain?" 

Jennie — "Why, for the land's sake, Charlie Hil- 
ton, how you scared me ! What's the matter?" 

Charlie Hilton — "Where is Captain Mark?" 

Jennie — " He has gone to Winston. What do you 
want with him ? Is there anything the matter ?" 

Charlie Hilton (aside) — "Merciful heavens! 
How can I break the news to them ?' ' 

Uncle Bob (sternly) — "Come, speak up Charlie, 
what's the matter man? Your face is as pale as a 
tenderfoot's at a lychen." 



46 

Charlie Hilton (desperately) — "Rudolph 
Dean has been found murdered in Captain Good- 
win's orchard, with Miss Cherry's insensible form 
lying not more than a dozen feet away from the 
murdered man's body !" 

[Great consternation in the stage group. Stage 
business.] 

Jennie (clasping her hands to her head franti- 
cally) — "What? Oh, my God ! What has happen- 
ed to my child?" 

Flossie — "Charlie, you are playing a cruel joke 
on us." 

Uncle Bob (shaking his fist at Charlie) — "If 
you are, young man, you shall take the goldarnd- 
est thrashen that ever a tenderfoot got." 

Charlie Hilton — "Come and see for your- 
selves !" 

[All rush in confusion from the stage. Exit left 
entrance. Enters right entrance Mark Goodwin 
in full riding costume, whip, spurs, ect. — appear- 
ance of having ridden long and hard — looks about 
the room curiously.] 

Mark — "Well, well. I wonder if everybody has 
gone to bed this early? (Takes out his watch and 
looks at it. ) By jacks ! It is later than I thought 
it was ! No wonder that everybody is in bed, and 
it is high time that I was in bed, too. But I won- 
der why they left the lamps burning ? And come 
to think of it, I saw a bright light burning in Cher- 
ry's room, and Dr. Michaux's horse and buggy 



41 

standing before our street gate as I rode up. I 
hope no one is ill." 

[Enters Jennie, her hair in disorder ; evidence of 
weeping on her face.] 

Jennie (with much emotion)— '"Oh, Mark! 
Mark ! I am so glad that you've returned ! What 
made you stay so late ?" 

Mark (soothingly) — "Why, little woman, I came 
as soon as I could. Remember, it is a long dis- 
tance from here to Winston." 

Jennie (clasping her hands with a despairing 
gesture) — "Oh, a dreadful thing has happened to- 
night." 

Mark (huskily) — "What do you mean, Jennie? 
Is there anything the matter with Cherry ? (Jennie 
buries her face in her hands and sobs wildly. Mark 
shakes her by the shoulder, his voice greatly agita- 
ted. ) Jennie, speak woman ! Tell me the worst. 
I am a man, and will bear my sorrow as a man 
should. Has the sunlight of our home departed 
forever ? Is Cherry is our darling dead ?" 

[Jennie takes her hands away from her face and 
looks up at Mark.] 

Jennie — "No, Mark. Thank God, Cherry is not 
dead — but oh, God, Mark ! WMll you believe it — 
Rudolph Dean is dead !" 

[Mark gives Jennie a slight push away from him 
and straightens up.] 



48 

Mark (ano^rily) — "Why are you makint^ such a 
fuss over Rudolph Dean's death? You have half 
frightened me to death. (Strikes his whip angrily 
against his leg. ) Do you suppose I will shed tears 
over the death of one of the poor people's enemies 
— a millionaire ? If I and my whole family were 
lying dead from starvation would he or any one of 
his class, think you, ever give one pitying thought 
to the poor devils whom the cursed selfishness of 
the rich binds down to a life of slavery, only a de- 
gree less degrading than that of African bondage 
as it once existed ? Shed tears over the death of a 
narrow-souled millionaire, indeed ! Jennie, I am 
ashamed of you ! Go to your room, woman, and 
shvjd tears over the unhappy fate of your own class, 
and thank God that one more of our enemies has 
been called to his account before the Judgment Bar 
of God!" 

[Jennie stands with clasped hands and drooping 
head, her whole attitude that of despair. Enters 
from right entrance two miformed police officers — 
one carries folded parchment in his hand. Jennie 
and Mark turn and meet them in center.] 

First Officer — "Mark Goodwin, in the name 
of the Commonwealth of North Carolina, I arrest 
you for the murder of Rudolph Dean !" 

[Second officer stands a little behind the first 
officer, and eyes Mark closely while the arrest is 
being made.] 

Jennie— "Oh, Mark, Mark! What does the 



49 

man mean? Oh, merciful God ! You are not go- 
ing with those officers, are you? Why don't you 
tell them that you are innocent of the charge ! Oh, 
oh, oh ! (Wrings her hands in anguish.) 

[Enters in great haste Uncle Rob and Flossie.] 

Flossie — "Oh, Aunt Jennie! Whats the mat- 
ter? What is the matter?" 

Uncle Bob— 'Whut's to pay, Mark ? Whut air 
these officers here fur? Stop your sniflen, Jennie, 
and Flossie, and let Mark tell whut's the matter. 
I've got plenty of the 'whar-with-all' to git him out 
all right, no matter whut the fuss is about. (Turns 
to officers. ) Whut the thunder air you here fur, 
anyhow, in this law-abiden house ?" 

First Officer — "We came to arrest Mark 
Goodwin for the murder of Rudolph Dean. The 
man is our prisoner — don't any one dare to resist 
us." 

[Uncle Bob's arms fall to his side, and he gazes 
in speechless astonishment at the officer.] 

First Officer ( to Mark ) — "Come on prisoner." 

[Jennie throws herself on Mark's breast and 
clings to him, sobbing and lamenting.] 

P^LOSSiE (to officers, angrily) — "You are a pair 
of blockheads ! (Stamps her foot. ) And you will 
be ashamed of yourselves when you see what a 
mistake you have made." 

Uncle Bob — "Flossie, Flossie ; be quiet child." 



56 

Flossie (appealing to I'ncle Bob)— "Oh, dad, 
dad ! You are not going to let those horrid men 
take poor uncle Mark to prison, are you ? Go on 
his bond — give the men money — do anything to 
save him from this disgrace!" (Throws herself 
into Uncle Bob's arms and sobs aloud. ) 

Tableaux for Curtaln : 

Jennie in Mark's arms, he bending his head 
fondly over hers. First officer trying to pull the 
woman away from her husband's arms. Second 
officer stands back of the group, with pistol drawn. 
Flossie in Uncle Bob's arms. 

CURTAIN. 



ACT FOUR. 

TIME — EARLY IN THE NIGHT. 

Scene — Engine House of Eagle Hose Company, 
No. 7. Present, members of the Company in full 
uniform. Charlie Hilton stands in center with note 
book and pencil in hand. Other members — some 
sitting down, others lounging or standing. 

Charlie Hilton (with much feeling) — "Who 
would ever have thought, boys, at our last meeting 
when we were all so happy, and our Captain was 
the j oiliest man in the crowd, that our next meet- 
ing would be enveloped in sadness on account of 
an awful misfortune which had fallen upon our be- 
loved leader ?" 

]ni Tracy (a fireman) — "But Captain Mark will 
come out all right, Charlie. You know that he is 
falsely accused of the murder of Rudolph Dean." 

Charlie Hilton — "Yes, I believe he is falsely 
accused, Jim ; but he's got to prove his innocence." 

John Williams (a fireman) — "The evidence is 
mighty strong against him, Charlie." 

Jim Tracy — "But it is purely circumstancial evi- 
dence." 

John Willia:\is — "Yes, Jim ; but many a man 
has been hung on purely circumstantial evidence. 
You see, our Captain hated Rudolph Dean with all 
the intensity of a man of strong prejudices, whose 



52 



heart could be so warm and loyal to his friends and 
so bitter toward his enemies." 

Frank Wells (a fireman)— "And it can be 
proven that Captain Goodwin swore that if his 
daughter, Miss Cherry, attempted to marry Mr. 
Dean he would murder him. Putting all this to- 
gether, with the fact that Rudolph Dean was mur- 
dered on the night of his intended elopement with 
Miss Cherry, makes things looks mighty black for 
our Captain, although I don't believe, boys, that he 
committed the murder." 
Jlm Tk.\cv— "Can't he prove an alibi?" 
JoHX \ViLLL\MS— "No, that's the troul)le ; he 
can't prove where he was after he left Winston at 
4 o'clock in the afternoon till he was arrested at 1 
o'clock on the night of the murder." 
Jlm Tracv— "Yes, it looks pretty bad." 
John \ViLLiAMS~"You're right, Jimmie, it does 
look shady ; but nobody will ever make me believe 
that our whole-souled Captain would commit mur- 
der under any circumstances." 

Charlie Hilton — "Neither do I believe it, 
boys. But that's nothing here nor there. Our 
Captain is in trouble. He is, as we all know, a 
poor man, who has never been able to lay up any- 
thing for the proxerbial rainy day, which comes 
sooner or later into every man's life ; and into his 
life this day has fallen with no gentle down-pour, 
but in a furious and overwhelming storm. Are we. 



53 

his friends and fellow-firemen, i?oing to stand firm- 
ly by him diirini^ this storm ? That's the question, 
boys." 

Firemen (all in chorus) — 'Wye, Charlie." 

Charlie Hilton — "All right, boys. How much 
will each man subscribe now to help emj^loy the 
best legal talent the State affords to defend him 
in his coming trial ? See, I have headed the list 
with one hundred dollars !" 

}ui Tracy — "Put my name down for one hun- 
dred, Charlie." 

John Willia.ms — "And mind for one hundred, 
also." 

Dennis O'Flanigan ( Irish fireman) — "And pit 
down the name of Dennis O'Flanigan fur sevinty 
dollar, and be jabbers if it warnt fur Bridget and 
the shanty full of helpless kids you'd see the self- 
same name 'o this boie down on the book, plidged 
for the sum of three hundred dollar to hilp our 
poor Cap' en out, fur he no more murder' d that 
rich spalpeen than Saint Patrick did !" 

Frank Wells — "And put my name for fifty 
dollars." 

Another Fireman — "Put mine down for twen- 
ty-five dollars." 

Another Fireman — "And mine for twenty dol- 
lars," (and so on till every member has subscribed 
something. ) 

Charlie Hilton (who, while the others have 



54 

been speaking, has been writing rapidly in his 
memoranda) — "All right, boys. You are the kind 
of friends for a man to be proud to possess. Now, 
I propose that the legal services of Shaw & Scales 
be secured at once on the case. What say you ?" 
Firemen (all in chorus) — "Aye, aye ; Shaw & 

Scales !" 

Charlie Hilton — "Who will agree to attend 

to the matter, boys ?' ' 

DeNxNIS O'Flanigan — "It's mesilf phwat moves 
that Mr. Charlie Hilton be appinted a committee of 
won to take the matther in hand." 

Ji.M Tracy — "I second the motion." 

Dennis O'Flanigan— "It has been moved and 
siconded that Mr. Charlie Hilton take the business 
of looken afther our Cap'ens definse in hand. All 
in favor say 'aye,' conthrary 'no !' " 

Firemen (in quick chorus) — "Aye !" 

Dennis O'Flanigan (proudly) — "Mr. Charlie 
Hilton's 'lected !" 

Charlie Hilton — "Thank you, comrades. I'll 
do my best." 

Dennis O'Flanigan (with much feeling) — "And 
Charlie, we want you to go ivery blissed day and 
visit our poor Cap' en in the jail beyants, and tell 
him that his boies belave in his innocence, and 
ivery mither's son of 'em will stand by him to the 
last." 

Jim Tracy — "Yes, Charlie, tell him not to lose 
heart. He will come out all right," 



55 

Dennis O'Flanigan— "That he will." 
Charlie Hilton (closes his notebook and re- 
places it in his pocket) — "All right, boys, you may 
trust me to attend to everything " 

CLANG ! CLANG ! CLANG ! 

[Quick, loud fire alarm from behind the scenes.] 

Dennis O'Flanigan (in consternation) — "Holy 
Mither ! Foir ! And our Cap' en not with us !" 

Jim Tracy (quickly) — "Take command, Char- 
lie !" 

Firemen (in chorus) — "Charlie Hilton is our 
Captafn !" 

Charlie Hilton (in a voice of command) — 
"Man your ropes and on to the fire !" 

[Snatches speaking trumpet and takes the lead. 
Exit Fire Company in haste, but perfect order. 
The scene is quickly shifted and discloses a two- 
story frame building enveloped in flames. Enters 
firemen, hose wagon, engine, spectators, etc.] 

Charlie Hilton — "Turn on the water! Is 
every one out of the building ?" 

Dennis O'Flanigan — "Yes, ivery mither's son, 
Saints be praised?" 

Man in the Crowd — "No, there is a man in the 
basement !" 

Dennis O'Flanigan — "He'll have to doie there 
then ; fur no man could live a minit in them flames 
and that smoke !" 



56 

Charlie Hilton — "Quick ! Where is the man 
located ?" 
Voice in the Crowd — "In the basement !" 
Charlie Hilton — "I'll brfng him out !" 
Jlm Tracy ( catching hold of Charlie) — "Charlie, 
for God's sake don't attempt it ! It will be your 
sure death if you do !" 

Charlie Hilton (angrily) — "Jim, take your 
hands ofT of me, or I'll knock you down. Do you 
suppose that I am afraid to die ? It is a thousand 
times easier to die than to live after life has been 
deprived of all hope of happiness, as mine has 
been." 

[Charlie dashes to the door, kicks it open and 
disappears in the burning building.] 

Dennis O'F'i-anigan (in a loud voice) — "An- 
ither foirman's life sacrificed to dooty ! God have 
mercy on his brave sovvl. (Takes command.) 
Turn yer hose on the lift wing, me lads ! Play her 
out ! Stiddy, now ! Courage ! Courage ! Hur- 
rah ! Huri-ah ! Ye'r gitten the foir under cou- 
th rol, hurrah !" 

[Charlie staggers from the burning building, from 
the door at which he entered it — carries, wTapped 
in blankets, the insensible form of a man. Flails 
with his burden prostrate on the stage. Loud 
cheers from firemen and spectators.] 

QUICK CURTAIN. 



ACT FIVE. 

ScENE^ — Parlor in Mark Goodwin's home — time, 
morning. A large screen divides the room. Pres- 
ent^Cherry, costume of deep mourning ; sits be- 
side table placed in center, right arm resting on 
table, head bowed resting on arm, face pale, and 
partly hidden. Enter left entrance Flossie, house 
costume, walks softly to Cherry's side ; sadly con- 
templates Cherry's bc^wed silent figure a moment 
in silence. Turns, walks four steps to right, pauses 
facing audience.] 

Flossie — 'Toor Cherry ! I am so sorry for her 
I don't know what to do. It would have killed me 
if Billy had teen murdered as poor Mr. Dean was ; 
and Cherry must have loved Mr. Dean a great deal 
more than T love Billy, for she was going to elope 
and marry him against her father's wishes, and 
this I would never do for any man. If dad should 
look at me as he always does when he is in solid 
earnest and say, 'see hare, baby lam', you're not 
agoen to marry Billy Oliver, do yer understand ?' 
(laughs) why I'd just simply put my arms around 
the old darling's neck and say, 'all right, dad, you 
are more to me than all the Billy Oliver's in the 
world, and I'll just live and die an old maid.' But 
poor Cherry ! I wish I could say something to her 
to take her mind away from her trouble, if it was 
onlv for a few moments. ( Drops eyes to floor, 



58 

stands a moment in thou;<htful silence ; brightens 
up suddenly and clasps her hands. ) Oh, 1 know 
what I'll do! I'll tell her about last night's fire. 
(Walks back to Cherry's side, places right hand 
softly on Cherry's bowed head — speaks gently. ) 
Cherry!" f Cherry lifts her head and looks at 
Flossie, sadly, j 

Cherry — "What do you want, Flossie?" 

FLossrE — "Did you hear about the fire last 
night, Cherry?" 

Cherry (listlessly) — "I heard the alarm, that 
was all." 

Flossie (eagerly) — "Come and sit by me on the 
sofa, and I will tell you all about it. (Seat them- 
selves on sofa. ) Oh, it was an awful big fire. 
Cherry, and the large frame building, the Morton 
House, on East Market street, near the postoffice, 
was burned to the ground." 

Cherry (with a slight show of interest) — 
"C(juldn't the fire department save the house?" 

Flossie — "No; the old building was all ablaze 
before the fire alarm was sounded. But Cherry, I 
want to tell you what a brave thing Charlie Hiltcjn 
did." 

Cherry (quickly) — "What did he do, Flossie?" 

Flossie (very enthusiastically) — "He rushed in- 
to the burning building when every one said that 
it would be certairi death to do so, and carried out 
a poor miserable fellow named Jo Black, who was 



59 

suffocated and unconscious from the smoke, and 
whose Hfe, daddy says, wasn't worth a nickel. 
Wasn't it brave of CharHe ?" 

Chkrry (clasps her hands tightly in her lap — 
L^asi^ingly) — "Was Charlie injured?" 

Flossie — "No, not much — only scorched a lit- 
tle. But, Cherry, what do you think the poor 
fellow said before he rushed into the burning? 
house, to those who were trying to prevent him 
from going?" 

Cherry (lapsing into indifference) — "I'm sure I 
do not know, Flossie." 

Flossie — "He said, 'do you suppose that 1 am 
afraid to die? It is a thousand times easier to die 
than to live after life has been deprived of all hoj^e 
of happiness, as mine has been.' (Cherry buries 
her face in her hands and sobs. ) There now ! (In 
great distress.) What have I done? Oh, dear, 1 
am always saying something that 1 have no busi- 
ness to say. ( Puts her arms around Cherry. ) Don't 
cry, darling ! Don't cry. I am such a little idiot. 
Please don't cry. Cherry." (Cherry removes her 
hands from her face and gets up. ) 

Cherry — "Never mind, Flossie. Run away 
now, dear. I want to be alone." 

Flossie (stands) — "But Cherry, if you are alone 
you will do nothing but cry. Do try to look on the 
bright side of things." 

Cherry — "Pll do the best 1 can, Flossie. Now- 
run up stairs, dear." 



fiO 

Flossie (kisses her)— "Poor darling— you have 
so much to bear." 

Cherry — "Run away now ; won't you, dear'" 
Flossie— "And you won't cry after I'm gone?" 
Cherry — "No, Flossie." 

[Exit Flossie left entrance. Cherry takes same 
position at table. Enters right entrance Mrs. Dean, 
middle-aged lady in deej:) mourning, bonnet, long- 
veil, etc., mother of Rudolph Dean. Approaches 
Cherry's side and places her hand on the girl's 
bowed head.] 

'Mrs. Dean (pityingly and tenderly) — "My 
child !" (Cherry starts suddenly to her feet. ) 

Cherry (voice full of agony)— "Oh, Mrs. Dean ! 
Have you come to reproach me in my grief ?' ' 

Mrs. Dean (takes Cherry's hands — voice ten- 
der) — "No, Cherry ; not to reproach, but to try to 
comfort you, my child." 

Cherry (in amazement) — "To comfort me? I 
who have caused you so much sorrow?" 

Mrs. Dean (with much feeling) — "My boy loved 
you, Cherry, and could he have expressed his last 
wish I know that he would have committed you as 
a precious charge to his mother's keeping. You 
are all I have left to love. Won't you love me 
just a little for my dead darling boy's sake ?" 

Cherry — "But think of the great sorrow I have 
caused you, Mrs. Dean !" 

Mrs. Dean — "It was your misfortune — not your 
fault, my child." 



61 

Cherry (with deep feeling, but tearless) — "To- 
day my father will be put on trial for his life, ac- 
cused of the murder of your only son — and yet you 
come to me, the cause of all this sorrow, with offers 
of sympathy and love. Oh, Mrs. Dean ! you are 
an angel, o" else you would despise and curse me." 
(Cherry buries her face in her hands. ) 

Mrs. Dean (earnestly and tenderly) — "Cherry, 
let me be your friend, your support, your mother 
and comforter, in this awful trial which has fallen 
upon your young life. It is time now for you to 
repair to the court room, where your father's trial 
will soon be in progress. Permit me to accompany 
and support you through this trying ordeal, so that 
the world may know, as my dead son's intended 
wife, how dear you are to me." (Cherry takes 
hands from her face and looks into Mrs. Dean's 
face. ) 

Cherry (slowly and very earnestly. These lines 
must be spoken very carefully and effectively) — 
"And you — you, Mrs. Dean, belong to the monied 
aristocracy of our land ! The people whom my 
poor father thinks are the sworn enemies of the 
poor ; grinding us down under the iron-heel of op- 
pression — delighting in nothing half so much as 
you do in the sorrow, degradation and poverty-bur- 
dened lives of your unfortunate fellow-beings ! 
Oh, my God ! how he has wronged you !" 

Mrs. DeAxN (with much feeling) — "Nevermind, 



(S2 

Do not think about that now. (Takes Cherry's 
right hand and places it on her right arm. ) There, 
that is right, lean on me. I will sujoport you. 
Courage, dear child, courage !" 

[Exit left entrance Mrs. Dean and Cherry. Cher- 
ry presses handkerchief to eyes with left hand and 
leans on Mrs. Dean's arm. Enters right entrance 
Uncle Rob and Flossie. Flossie in walking cos- 
tume, hat, gloves, parasol, etc. Uncle Bob very 
pale and harrassed.] 

Uncle Bob — "Why, baby lam', I thought you 
said your cousin Cherry wus hare." 

Flossie — "She was here, daddy, not long ago. 
I wonder where she has gone !" 

Uncle Bob — "We must hunt her up, fur hits 
time fur her to go to the court house, poor gal." 

Flossie — "Oh, dad, what an awful affair this is. 
It nearly frightens me to death. Do you think that 
poor uncle Mark will be hung ?' ' 

Uncle Bob (despairingly) — "1 don't know, baby 
lam', I don't know. Circumstances are turbly agin 
the pore feller, but we must hope fur the best. But 
come on, let's find Cherry and be off." 

[Exit right entrance Uncle Bob and Flossie.] 

[Enters left entrance Jo Black, the tramp, whom 
Charlie Hilton carried from the burning building. 
He walks feebly and tottering and looks about 
him.] 

• Jo Black — "I don't know whose house this is — 



63 

neither do I care. The doors and windows are all 
open, yet I see no one about. (Presses hand to 
heart as if smitten by sudden pain — when spasm of 
pain has passed. ) Merciful God ! Why was I res- 
cued from the devouring flames and my sufferings 
prolonged? Oh, I am so ill — so ill ! (Goes to ta- 
ble and pours water from pitcher to goblet, drinks, 
puts glass back on table. ) I must rest here. I 
don't care what they do with me when I am dis- 
covered, I am determined to rest now, (Sinks 
down heavily on sofa — leans head back and closes 
eyes — starts up wildly, presses hand to forehead. ) 
I wonder if this be death ? My eyes grow dim. Oh, 
God ! I am dying ! (Starts up wildly. ) Oh, help ! 
help ! I am so afraid of the awful darkness that is 
falling upon me ! I can not die here alone. Oh, 
help ! Great God, I am so afraid to die !" (Stag- 
gers around behind screen — lies down heavily on 
right side, puts right hand under head, groans 
aloud, then rests quietly. The screen hides his 
form from persons in the room, but not from full 
view of the audience. ) 

[Enters right entrance Uncle Bob supporting 
Jennie, who is weeping bitterly. ) 

Uncle Bob (seating Jennie in chair)— "Don't 
give up, Jennie. Don't give up. Think of pore 
Cherry and be brave fur her sake." (Jennie re- 
moves her hands from her pale face and looks up 
into Uncle Bob's face.) 



64 

Jennie (in deep anguish of spirit) — ''But oh, my 
God, brother Bob ! To think that Mark was found 
guilty of murder in the first degree ! Oh, it will 
kill me — it will kill me !" (Covers face with hands 
and rocks body to and fro. ) 

Uncle Bob (with deep emotion) — "I know it, 
Jennie. It looks purty bad, little woman, purty 
bad. But don't give up. I've got money to burn, 
and dog my sheep ef 1 don't set fire to it all to 
onct to git Mark outen this. 'Sides the whole 
Magle Hose Company is backen him fur all 
they're wurth. We'll git a new trial fur Mark, and 
he'll come out on top yit. Be brave now — yonder 
comes pore Cherry." 

[Enters Cherry, supported on the right by Mrs. 
Dean, on the left by Charlie Hilton. Jennie gets 
up, meets Cherry in center, who throws herself in- 
to her mother's arms, crying in agony. ) 

Cherry — "Oh, mother, mother ! My poor fath- 
er will die on the gallows. Oh, I would to God 
that I could die in his stead !" 

[Uncle Bob brings chair and places it in center. 
Mrs. Dean walks to sofa and sits down dejectedly. 
Charlie Hilton walks to extreme left wing of stage 
nnd stands with folded arms, with back to audience 
and other figures on stage. Ujicle Bob takes Cher- 
ry from her mother's arms and seats her in chair in 
the center.] 

Uncle Bob — "Come, come now, Cherry ! This 
is no way to meet truble. Jist look it square in the 



66 

face, same as a hunter does when a wild beast gits 
after him ; and Hke the ferocious beast it will quail 
and slink away. The lawyers have made an ap- 
peal fur a new trial. Your father may come out all 
right yit." 

Cherry (wringing her hands) — "But think of 
the long, weary days my father must spend in jail 
before he can have another trial — even if a new 
trial is granted him. Oh, dear me ; dear me." 

Uncle Bob — "I know it's bad, Cherry ; but it 
can't be helped. Mark will be able to stand it, and 
you must be brave, too." 

[Jo Black raises (behind the screen) himself on 
his elbow and listens intently. Mrs. Dean goes to 
Cherry's side and takes her arm.] 

Mrs. Dean (tenderly) — "Come and sit beside 
me, poor dear child, and try to compose yourself." 

[Mrs. Dean leads her to sofa, (stage business) 
seats herself beside Cherry, puts her arm around 
Cherry, who rests with her head on Mrs. Dean's 
shoulder. Jennie sits down beside table and rests 
her right arm on it — bows her head and rests it on 
her arm. Enters Flossie, followed by Billy Oliver. 
Flossie crying and wringing her hands in great an- 
guish — her hair is in disorder, her hat hangs from 
her neck, held by a rubber. Billy and Charlie con- 
verse inaudibly.] 

Flossie — "Oh, dad, dad ! They have found 
poor uncle Mark guilty of murder in the first de- 
gree ! That wretched idiotic jury — the whole 
twelve men of them — couldn't supply brains enough 



from their empty craniums to fill my little gold 
thimble. And they will hang my noble uncle Mark 
for the murder of Mr. Dean, when he is no more 
guilty of it than I am. Oh, dad, darling dad ! what 
shall we do ! What shall we do ! (Screams as Jo 
Black comes staggering into the room. Flossie 
runs to her father's side. ) Oh, dad ! Who is this 
man ? It is a drunken tramp ! Drive him away ! 
Please drive him away !" 

Unxle Bob (puts his arm around Flossie reas- 
suringly )— "Don't be skeered, baby lam'. (Turns 
to tramp. ) Git out of hare ! Whut do you mean 
by comen into a respectable house, anyhow?" 

[Jennie lifts her head, rests both elbows on table 
and watches the scene.] 

Flossie (catching her father's arm convulsively) 
— "Oh, dad ! be careful, be careful — he might shoot 
you." 

Uncle Bob — "Shoot nothen. (To tramp. ) Move 
on ! Git out o'hare, I say !" 

[Billy Oliver and Charlie Hilton spring forward 
and each grasp an arm of Jo Black.] 

Both Together — "Here, move on ! Get out 
of this house, you ragged rascal !" 

[Jo Black turns an appealing look, first on Char- 
lie, then on Billy.] 

Jo Black— "Be gentle with me, men. I am ill 
— T am dying !" 



67 



Uncle Bob — "Oh, git out ! You're drunk. Put 
him out, boys ; put him out." 

Billy and Charlie (trying to pull tramp away — 
"Come on, sir !" 

Jo Black— "All right. Kick me out— I'll fall 
down on the ground by your door and die like a 
DOG. (Pulls his right arm suddenly from Charlie's 
grasp and shakes the forefinger of right hand me- 
nancingly. ) But let me tell you — when I die a 
secret, that has a terrible bearing on the happi- 
ness of this household, dies with me ! Kick me 
out ! I am moneyless, homeless, friendless, ill and 
dying ! Do your Christian duty by me ! It will 
only be one more case of 'man's inhumanity to 
man.' But mark you — the secret dies with 

ME." 

Billy Oliver (in a tone of amazement) — "Why, 
it is Jo Black ! The man you rescued from the 
burning building, Charlie !" 

Charlie (in astonishment) — "It is, for a fact. 
(To Jo. ) What are you doing in here, Jo ?" 

Jo Black — "God sent me here to save an inno- 
cent man's life from the gallows." 

Cherry (running up to the group, of which Jo 
Black is the central figure) — "Oh, Charlie ! What 
did the man say?" 

Jo Black (looking appealingly at Cherry) — 
"God sent me here, Miss, in my last earthly mo- 
ments to clear your father of the crime for which 



68 

he has been convicted, but which I swear before 
high heaven he never committed." 

Cherry (clasps her hands, and cries with deep 
emotion) — "Oh, thank God ! Thank God ! (Turns 
toward the others. ) Mother, mother — Mrs. Dean — 
Flossie — Uncle Bob — did )ou all hear what the 
man said ? My father is innocent ! Thank 
God! Thank God !" 

[All figures on the stage hasten to the group, of 
which Jo Black is the central figure. Jo Black 
gasps, (stage business) throws up his arms, stag- 
gers, as on the point of swooning. Charlie catches 
him in his arms.] 

Charlie (in a voice of alarm) — "Bring a chair — 
get some wine — he is fainting !" 

[Billy Oliver brings a chair. (Stage business.) 
Charlie seats Jo Black. Uncle Bob hastens to side 
table, pours w ine from decanter, brings wine glass 
to Charlie, who holds it to Jo Black's lips. After 
Jo drinks the wine Charlie hands the glass back to 
Uncle Bob, who places it on the table.] 

Jo Black (revives and speaks in much stronger 
voice) — "Behold the man who murdered Rudolph 
Dean !" 

Uncle Bob — "The man must be delirious." 

Jo Black — "No, I am not delirious. I have 
said, and I repeat, that I and I alone, murdered 
Rudolph Dean !" 

Mrs. Dean (clasps her hands to her heart and 
cries in agony) — "Oh, my noble boy ! Who but a 



fiend could have taken his pure young life ? (Grows 
excited and angry. ) Let me kill him! Let me 
kill the wretch with my own hands!" (Makes a 
dash toward Jo Black — L^ncle Bob catches and re- 
strains her. ) 

Uncle Bob (soothingly) — "Be ca'm, madam — 
be ca'm. I beg you, be ca'm. Let the man 
speak." 

[Jo Black smiles faintly. Billy Oliver goes to 
Mrs. Dean's side, puts left arm around her, sup- 
ports her, fans her with his cap. Charlie Hilton 
stands behind Jo Black's chair to support and ad- 
minister to him.] 

Jo Black — "It is no wonder that the poor lady 
wants to kill me. I certainly deserve it. (Passes 
right hand across his forehead. ) But already the 
dew of death is gathering upon my brow. Do not 
upbraid me — my time is short. Listen to ni}^ state- 
ment, which I swear ( raises right hand ) before God 
is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the 
truth. Inability to secure employment, starvation, 
wretchedness and despair drove me to commit the 
terrible crime of murder. I saw Mr. Dean when 
he drew fifteen hundred dollars from a bank in 
Greensboro on the afternoon of the murder. A 
mad and uncontrolable desire took possession of 
my heart to rob him of this sum, which would 
bring life, hope and youth back to my breaking 
heart. He was rich — he did not need the money, I 



70 

told myself — while I Oh, God only knows in- 
to what depths of despair, poverty, hunger and 
dirt can plunge the human soul ! I dogged the 
young man's footsteps, watched and followed him 
at the midnight hour when he went alone into the 
lonely orchard, where his body was found. I did 
not intend to kill him — only to knock him down, 
beat him into unconsciousness and rob him. He 
stopped and stood leaning against a tree. I crept 
up behind him and dealt him a terrible blow on the 
head. He fell without a word or groan. I waited 
and listened a moment, and then attempted to rob 
the body. Just as I bent over it I heard swift foot- 
steps approaching, and hastily hid myself behind a 
tree. Very soon the slender form of a woman was 
bending over the man's body, while she called him 
fondly by name. Then her piercing shrieks rent 
the still night air, and I fled wildly and undetected 
from the scene. A few nights later I was carried 
by this gentleman, (indicating Charlie) Mr. Hilton, 
— a brave fireman — from the basement of the Mor- 
ton House, where I had been permitted to spend 
the night. I was suffocated with smoke, and in- 
jured besides by a piece of falling timber. But I 
was saved — saved for what ? To be hunted and 
hounded from one town to another, like a wild 
beast of prey, to be clothed in rags and dishonor ; 
to face starvation and despair — and in my wretch- 
edness I cursed God for permitting my suffering to 



71 

be prolonged. Ah, I know now why this was 
done. It was that I might make this confession 
and save an innocent man's Hfe from the hang- 
man's rope — and to save my own soul from hell. 
( Gasps and chokes. ) Water ! Air ! I am suffo- 
cating ! I am dying ! God have mercy on my 
soul!" 

Uncle Bob (with deep solemnity) — "Amen ! 
Amen !" 

[Jo Black leans his head half back heavily, sup- 
ported by Charlie. Gasp'. again and is dead.] 

Tableaux for Curtain. 

Stage business. Uncle Bob stands to the right 
and nearest the dying man, partly bending toward 
him, in eager attitude, while by his side stands 
Jennie. Cherry sinks on her knees not far from Jo 
Black's chair when Uncle Bob sa3rs "Amen, amen," 
and remains kneeling with her face buried in her 
hands. Mrs. Dean leans against Billy Oliver, with 
her head resting on his left shoulder — he supports 
her with his left arm and fans her with his cap held 
in his right hand. When Jo Black says "I cursed 
God" Flossie, as if unable to hear more, runs and 
throws herself beside sofa and buries her face in 
sofa cushion. Charlie Hilton always stands at the 
back of Jo Black's chair, supporting the dying 
man's head, and doing all he can for him. 



SLOW CURTAIN, 



ACT SIX. 

Scene — Two Years Later. 

Parlor in Mark Goodwin's home — apartment bet- 
ter furnished than formerly. 

[Enters Uncle Bob in elegant dress suit. He has 
been absent for two years, staying on his ranche in 
New Mexico. (Stage business.) Walks to mirror 
and surveys himself critically.] 

Uncle Bob — "I wonder whut baby lam' will say 
to her old dad now. Jist think, she ain't seen me 
fur two years, and hare I am all rigged out like one 
of them doods I saw in Raleigh — all I lack is the 
cane to suck. ( Feels for his trousers' pocket. ) 
Why lookee hare ; there's no pockits in these 
breeches ! Well, I'll swan ! Breeches without 
pockits in 'em ! Jist wait till I go back to Raleigh. 
That snide tailor who sold me these clothes will 
find out that he's played a joke on the wrong 
man." 

[Enters Flossie, a full grown young lady in ele- 
gant evening costume.] 

Flossie (runs and embraces Uncle Bob) — "Oh, 
dear, darling old dad ! I'm so glad you've come. 
It seems to me that I haven't seen you for twenty 
years. ( Kisses him again and again. ) 

Uncle Bob (holding her off at arms length) — 
"Why, can this young lady, all diked out in sich 
fine toggery, be my little Flossie ? My baby lam' ?' 



73 



Flossie (laughing) — "Yes, your very same baby 
lam', dear dad. Oh, you don't know how I have 
longed for you, and the sweet old days we used to 
have together on the ranche. You must take me 
home with you, now, dad ; I do so long for the 
free wild west, and the 'round-ups,' and the 'blow- 
outs,' and all the fun we used to have !" 

Uncle Bob — "The round-ups ! Ha, ha, ha ! 
You'd cut a figer goen on a 'round-up' with all this 
toggery on, wouldn't you, now, baby lam' ?" 

Flossie (bringing her train around with her 
right foot with a contemptuous sweep) — "This fine 
toggery, indeed ! I hate it, and intend to never 
look at it again after we go home. But, ( looking 
at him admiringly, ) oh, dad, how swell you look." 

Uncle Bob — "Swell? Well, I should say so. I 
feel like I wus about to bust. But whut do you 
reckin, Flossie ! That fool tailor in Raleigh never 
put no pockits in my breeches." 

Flossie ( trying to repress a laugh ) — "He didn't? 
Why, what a shame." 

Uncle Bob — " 'Taint half as big a shame as the 
thrashen will be that I'll give him when I go back. 
You may bet your last dollar on that. ( Pulls coat 
skirt around.) And k>okee hare, he didn't put 
half enough stuff in my coat tail, see? They won't 
meet by more'n a foot." 

Flossie (bursts out laughing)— "Oh, that's 
style, daddy dear. But never mind. Just wait tiJl 



74 



we get back on the ranche and we'll dress a dum- 
my up in this suit and put it out in the field to scare 
the cayotes away, eh, dad ?" 

Uncle Bob — "That's jis't whut we'll do, baby 
lam'. The dummy won't need no breeches pockits, 
and I reckin he won't keer if the coat tails are 
too narrer. But whar's your uncle Mark, an' all 
the folks?" 

Fi,ossiE — "They will all be down in a few mo- 
ments, dad." 

Uncle Bob (shame-facedly) — "Flossie ! I — I — 
I'll swan ! I hate to let 'em ketch me in this hare 
rig. I feel so much like a fool tenderfoot looks — 
and dog my sheep, if I don't hate to see you draggen 
all that silk and lace 'round after you ; and to see 
your purty neck and arms all bare, jist fur anybody 
to feast their greasy eyes on whut wants to. 'Spos- 
sen we go and git into our common-sense duds be- 
fore anybody sees us, and have an old-fashion good 
time this evening, after we have been parted so 
long ?' ' 

Flossie (laughing)— "All right, dad. Nothing 
would please me better." 

Uncle Bob (greatly relieved) — "Well, come on 
then, little Miss Sensible, and we'll git out of this 
before anybody comes." (Takes Flossie's arm. ) 

[Exit Uncle Bob and Flossie — Flossie smiling 
broadly over her shoulder at the audience. Enters 
Mark Goodwin and Charlie Hilton, the latter hav- 



75 

ing been absent for two years — both men are in 
firemen's uniform.] 

Charlie (as if continuing a conversation) — "I 
tell you, Captain, there is no place like home. I 
suffered from home-sickness the whole two years 
of my absence — was always longing for these fam- 
iliar scenes, and the faces of the dear friends I left 
behind me." 

Mark — "Now that we have you home again, lad, 
we intend to keep you here." 

Charlie — "But, Captain, as much as I longed 
to be at home, I never once flattered myself that 
the pleasure and honor of again being a guest at 
your home was in store for me." 

Mark — "And why not, lad? To whom should 
my house be open if not to the man whose loyalty 
and bravery resulted in saving my neck from the 
hangman's rope?" 

Charlie — "But your circumstances have chang- 
ed since then. Captain. Then you were a poor 
man and my fellow-laborer. Now you are the 
father of a woman who is a millionaire. I expect- 
ed, such being the case, that you had grown far 
above me, and all your fire laddies, in fact, till I 
met you at the firemen's meeting to-night." 

Mark (much hurt) — "Then you thought that I 
had turned fool, eh ? Just because Mrs. Dean, in 
her greatness and goodness of heart, adopted my 
daughter Cherry as her own child, and made her 



76 

her sole heir ? Oh, CharHe, Charlie ! I did not 
think that you deemed me capable of such weak- 
ness." 

Charlie (extending his right hand, which Mark 
grasps) — "Forgive me. Captain. I should have 
known you better than to have so misjudged you. 
You will forgive me, will you not?" 

Mark (brushes his right hand over his eyes as if 
to clear them of a tearful mist) — "That's all right, 
Charlie." 

Charlie — "But your daughter, Miss Cherry, 
will she not consider my call an intrusion — a pre- 
suming upon old acquaintanceship, and an unwar- 
rantable liberty?" 

Mark (smiling) — "She shall answer your ques- 
tion for herself, Charlie." 

[Walks to right entrance and calls : "Cherry ! 
will you come down to the parlor a few moments, 
dear?" Voice behind the scenes: "Certainly, 
papa !" Enters Cherry in elegant evening cos- 
tume.] 

Cherry — "What is it, papa?" 

Mark — "While down at a meeting of the Eagle 
Hose Company this evening. Cherry, I met an old 
friend, and insisted upon his accompanying me 
home. Will you not bid him welcome ?' ' 

Cherry — "Who is it, papa?" 

Mark — "Come and see." 

[Takes her arm and leads her before Charlie — 
who stands at table placed slightly to the right of 



77 

center. Cherry looks startled for an instant, then 
exclaims in a voice of deep emotion.] 

Cherry— "Charlie Hilton ! Oh, Charlie, Char- 
lie ! Thank heaven you have returned ! ( Exit 
Mark left entrance. ) Why did you leave us so ab- 
ruptly, without giving us an opportunity to thank 
you (takes both his hands) for all you had done 
for us, and kept us in ignorance of your address 
ever since ?" 

Charlie — "I do not deserve your kind words 
and this cordial welcome — indeed, I do not, Miss 
Cherry." 

Cherry — "You do, Charlie — indeed you do ! 
You deserve ten thousand times more than I am 
able to express. Oh, how I shudder when I think 
of what would have been the fate of our then 
wretched household had it not been for your brav- 
ery and your devotion to duty. Let me pour out 
my heart to you in gratitude, dearest, bravest, most 
loyal of men !" 

Charlie (with great earnestness) — "Cherry — let 
me call you thus as in the sweet old days — listen, 
for I must tell you. Whatever I am my love for 
you has made me ! Ever since I can remember, 
your dear image has been my guiding star, ever in- 
citing me to strive to live a grand, true life. If, as 
you say, I ever did a brave or noble deed my love 
for you was the motive power. This love has been 
my shield against the temptations which beset 



78 

every young man's life ; has been my refuge in 
every sorrow, and the sweet companion of my 
weary work-a-day Hfe ; although unrequited this 
love has been, still I thank God for its existence." 

Cherry — "Charlie, have you never heard it said 
that true love engenders love, and will finally meet 
its reward?" 

Charlie — "Yes, but Cherry, it is a rule that 
knows many exceptions." 

Cherry — "There is no exception in our case, 
Charlie. Believe me there is not." 

Charlie (drops her hands) — "For the love of 
God, do not trifle with me !" 

Cherry — "God forbid that I should be so base. 
Charlie, I love you !" 

Charlie — "You can not mean what you say, 
Cherry ! It is gratitude for the service you are 
good enough to think I rendered you, that you 
have mistaken for love." 

Cherry, (smiling archly) — "Who knows the 
emotions of my heart best, Charlie, you or I !" 

Charlie — "But think of the vast difference in 
our social and financial positions. You are a very 
wealthy woman, occupying a high social position ; 
while I am only a mechanic and a very poor man." 

Cherry — "I love you for your own noble self, 
Charlie ; and while you know that you are not my 
first love, my darling, you shall be my last, and my 
poor life, — which was almost crushed and ruined 
by my early sorrow, — I lay at your feet." 



n 



Charlie (in intense rapture) — "My beloved ! 
My own at last !" (Folds her fondly in his arms. ) 

Uncle Bob (voice from behind scenes) — "Come 
on now, baby lam', this looks a little more like the 
good old times." 

Cherry (releasing herself quickly from Charlie's 
embrace) — "The others are coming — let us escape 
to the conservatory." 

[Exit in haste Charlie and Cherry right entrance. 
Enters left entrance Uncle Bob and Flossie, dress- 
ed in costumes similar to those worn on their first 
appearance in the play.] 

Uncle Bob (proudly) — "Now you look like my 
little gal, I'll swan ! I'm right down sorry fur 
them pore society wemin ; draggen all that toggery 
'round after 'em, all startched, ruffled, and laced 
up till they must be in misery." 

Flossie (laughing) — "We'll never be society 
folks, will we daddy dear ?' ' 

Uncle Bob — "Dollars to doughnuts we won't, 
baby lam'. Give us the free wild west, with our 
ranches, our sheep, our cattle, our broncos 

Flossie — "And our bicycles, dad !" 

Uncle Bob — "Yes, our bicycles. Oh, that re- 
minds me — Flossie whut have you done with Piiliy 
Oliver?" 

r lossie — "Oh, he's here ; and I love him just as 
much as ever." 

Uncle Bob — "Well, I'll swan ! Human nater is 



80 

a curios thing. Who'd a thought that sich a sensi- 
ble gal as my Flossie would have fallen in love 
with a tenderfoot ! Has he larned to do anything 
else 'cept riden the bicycle and worken the type- 
writen machine, Flossie ?" 

Flossie (clasping her hands enthusiastically) — 
"Oh, yes, dad ! He has learned to play golf." 
Uncle Bob — "He's larned to do whut?" 
Flossie— "Play golf !" 

Uncle Bob— "Whut in the thunderation is that?" 
Flossie (laughing)— "We'll show you when we 
get home, (coaxingly) and oh, dad, you'll let poor 
Billy go with us, won't you ?" 

Uncle Bob— "Yes, I reckin so. I want him to 
larn me 'bout this golf." 

FLOSSiE-7"rm going to run and tell him." 
Uncle Bob— "All right. ( Exit Flossie. Uncle 
Bob looking after her.) Well, I'll swan." 
[Enters Jennie and Mark.] 

Uncle Bob— "Well, Jennie, I've had to give my 
gal to Billy Oliver, after all." 

Jennie (laughing)— "I told you how it would be, 
brother Bob ; and we have just given our Cherry 
to Charlie Hilton." 

Uncle Bob— "Well, I'll swan. Two rich wemin 
marryen two poor men ! Whut do you think of 
that, Mark?" 

[Enters Flossie and Billy from left entrance. 
Cherry and Charlie from the right. Meet in center. 
Uncle Bob on left— Mark and Jennie on right.] 



81 

Mark (plainly and earnestly) — "I think, brother 
Bob, that it is — as it should be — a harmonious and 
blessed union of "CAPITAL and LABOR." 

[All the figures on the stage bow low as the Cur- 
tain slowly descends.] 

FINALE. 



N. B, — Mark's closing speech must be with 
marked emphasis. 



MEMBERSHIP OF THE 

Eagle Hose Co., No. 7, 

GREENSBORO, N. C. 

"Daughter of the Company," 
Miss Lillian Brown. 



H.J. Elam, President. J. W. Petty, 1st Lieut. 
W. L. Cranford, Captain. D. W. Marsh, 2nd Lieut. 
E. L. Clarke, Secretary. J. L. Thacker, Treasurer. 



F. N. Tavlor, 
R. C. Whittington 
W. M. Adams, 
J. G. Fowler, 
J. J. Smith, 
Wm. Smothers, 
L. R. Thacker, 
James Gibson, 
W. L. Watson, 
C. B. Bogart, 
L. E. Glenn, 
E. K. Huff, 

Dr. E. 



R. 



C. D. Benbow, 
J. R. Donnell. 
L. A. Wyrick, 
John Weatherly, 
A. L. Smith, 
A. G. Wilson, 
F. V. Snell, 
F. F. Smith, 
J. R. McClamroch, 
W. A. Watson, 
J. H. West, 
C. C. Shaw, 
Michaux, Surgeon. 



HONORARY MEMBERS. 



W. E. Bevill, 
G. W. Alley, Jr. 
J. J. Nelson, 
C. M. Vanstory, 
J. M. Reece, 
A. M. Scales, 
J. H. Shaw, 



J. C. Murchison, 
R. R. King, 
W. J. Blackburn, 
J. L. King, 
Neil Ellington, 
R. M. Rees, 
C. D. Higgins. 



OFFICERS OF 



THE EAGLE DRAMATIC CLUB. 



President — Miss Daphne Carravvay. 
Vice-President — Miss Marie Wolfe. 
Manager — W. H. Rees. 
Lady Manager— Mrs. G. W. Whitsett. 
Secretary — Miss Susie Stone. 
Assistant Secretary — Miss Fodie Buie. 
Treasurer — John L. Thacker, 
Prompter — Miss Mamie Furgerson. 

Miss Edna Vanderford, Miss M. A. Whitaker and 
Miss Lizzie Crocker, Musical Directors. 

All members of the "Eagle Dramatic Club" are 
Honorary Members of the Eagle Hose Co., No. 7. 
There are thirty-five members in the Dramatic 
Club. 

The regular monthly meetings of the "Eagle 
Dramatic Club" are held on the second Fridav 
night of each month. 

Those of the Eagle Hose Co., No. 7, are held on 
the first Friday night of each month. The Anni- 
versary Meeting occurs on the first Friday night in 
May of each and every year. 



-THE- 



FIREHAN'S HEART, 

AN ORIGINAL DRAMA 
IN FOUR ACTS BY 

Beatrice Mare an. 



THRILLING, INTERESTING and REALISTIC. 
Especially Adapted to Amateur Talent. 



This play has been presented in many different 
localities, by home talent, to crowded houses, with 
the greatest success, for the benefit of Fire Depart- 
ments. 

For copies of the Drama, instructions and stage 
rights, Address, 

MRS. BEATRICE MARFAN, 

OCALA, FlA, 



LIST OF 

Mrs. Beatrice flarean's 

WOF=^K©. 



♦THE TRACxEDIES OF OAKHURST.' 

"WON AT LAST." 

"WHEN A WOMAN LOVES." 

"HER SHADOWED LIFE." 

'THE FIREMAN'S HEART." 

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS." 



"Mrs. Marean's Works are the most interesting 
contributions to Southern literature, since the ap- 
pearance of Charles Egbert Craddock's graphic 
tales of Tennessee Mountain life. The author is a 
good portrayer of human nature, and has the rare 
faculty of making her stories not only instructive 
but intensely interesting from beginning to end." — 
Echoes of the South. 



Copies sent post paid on receipt of price, 
CLOTH BINDING |1.12. PAPER 31 CENTS. 
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